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TV celerbrities Rylan, Oti Mabuse and Emma Willis to take on the Cairngorms for Comic Relief


By Gavin Musgrove

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Celebrities Rylan, Oti Mabuse and Emma Willis talking about their winter mountain training at The Woodshed on BBC Breakfast.
Celebrities Rylan, Oti Mabuse and Emma Willis talking about their winter mountain training at The Woodshed on BBC Breakfast.

Three of television's biggest names are in the Aviemore area as they step up their preparations for this year's Comic Relief challenge which will take place in the Cairngorms.

Rylan Clark, Emma Willis and Oti Mabuse were revealed this morning as the stars who will be 'Frozen' to raise millions for the charity.

The three celebrities will be put to the test over three days and in one monumental challenge for this year's Red Nose Day.

The epic quest will see the three TV stars 'climbing the Cairngorm Mountains'.

The trio were interviewed live earlier this morning at the Woodshed at the Coylumbridge Hotel by BBC Breakfast pair Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt

They will start their actual challenge next week but began preparations in the Glenmore Forest and on the lower slopes yesterday for 'Frozen: Emma, Oti and Rylan'.

Rylan told viewers: "The Willis did drag me into this when I was under the influence at a friend's birthday. We have just started training. It is so gorgeous up here.

"I think yesterday we all surprised ourselves a little bit at how we just got on with things.

"We put up a tent yesterday. My tent has got a porch so I am happy!"

Wills said that her friend had put his tent up in record time by himself.

Asked who was in charge, Emma said: "We are all equals, always."

Admittedly Rylan and Oti have never camped – and Rylan has never even trekked.

Emma said: "Between us we kind of cover everything. He is really good at keeping moral up even though he did look miserable in the clip at the beginning of the show.

"Oti sings all day long. It is teamwork – that is how we are going to get up there. We will rely on each other."

The Cairngorms can be stunning in winter but weather conditions can change very quickly.
The Cairngorms can be stunning in winter but weather conditions can change very quickly.

Rylan has christened himself 'Ben Novis' ahead of the ascent.

Oti said: "It is already tough for me being here as I am not used to being in the cold. I runaway when it gets to winter but because there are three of us we can really have each others' backs."

The Strictly star said it was heavy work carrying all the kits and clothing to protect them from the Cairngorms cold.

"We will be sleeping here for two nights in the extreme minus degree weather," she said.

"So I think we will be challenged and pushed."

Emma chipped in: "I think we are all still in shock I think. We were like excitable school children when we got here yesterday and then they told exactly what we were going to do, how it is going to happen, what it entails.

"It is possibly going to be -10C and deep snow then the reality kicks in and you start to take it seriously."

The trio have been training with ice axes and crampons.

Stayt complimented Rylan telling him his beard and winter clothing made him look like a proper mountain man.

Oti joked: "He loved it until he actual found that his beard could freeze over."

He said: "Yes, it could snap off so I could come back with bald patches in my beard."

Related Cairngorms news:

Huge coup for Cairngorm Mountain resort

New pastures for Cairngorm reindeer centre

On a more serious note, the presenters said they were delighted to be supporting the charity's work and helping great causes.

Emma said: "It is the easiest 'yes' to say when you are asked to do something like this."

Comic Relief is one of two high-profile BBC telethon fundraising events, the other being Children in Need.

Red Nose Day takes place on Friday 17 March.

People can register now to get involved and get their free fundraising pack.

More details are available at https://www.comicrelief.com/


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