Nice day for a swim, David! 

UPDATE: 7.32pm 12 September 2011

Walliams completes swim to Big Ben

 

After starting in Lechlade eight days ago, David Walliams has finally completed his swim of the Thames - raising over £1.1 million in the process.

 

The comedian battled illness and stomach complaints to complete the 140 journey.

 

"I'd like to thank everyone who supported me," he said. "From the start to the finish, I couldn't have done it without them."

 

Little Britain star starts Sport Relief Thames Challenge in Lechlade  

05 September 2011

 

If you were up early in Lechlade this morning, you will have probably seen a very interesting sight - comedian David Walliams jumping in the Thames!

 

The Little Britain star chose the The Riverside pub as the starting point for his Thames Challenge, a bid to swim the whole length of the river in aid of Sport Relief 2012.

 

And after diving in just after 8.20am, Walliams swam under Half-Penny Bridge to big cheers from a large crowd on the riverbank who turned out to support him.

 

Last hug from mum: Walliams at The Riverside just before starting his swim

 

After a steady crawl past support boats and swans (his biggest worry), Walliams made his first stop to negotiate St. John's Lock before jumping back in and proceeding on past the Trout Inn.

 

On day one, Walliams hopes to reach Bablock Hythe in Witney, Oxfordshire by late afternoon. 

 

In all, the comedian plans to will swim around 150 miles over 8 days, finishing in London. 

 

No stranger to big challenges, Walliams swam the English Channel in 2006, raising over £1 million in the process. 

 

David Walliams Thames Challenge Start

Lechlade-on-Thames

05 September 2011

 

Have I finished, yet? Walliams joked after his first stop at St. John's Lock

 

Thanks for all the support: Walliams spent half-an-hour meeting people on the riverbank who had turned out to see him off incl. receiving some good luck cakes from the Mayor!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

The challenge will be televised by the BBC in a documentary prior to the live evening of Sport Relief in March 2012.

 

Sponsor David

 

You can sponsor David online via the Thames Challenge website, link below.

 

He'll also be appearing on The One Show on BBC1 tonight at 7pm to talk about Challenge.