Post by PorkyPies on Jul 5, 2006 19:21:06 GMT 1
Sea, told you I’d do it
05/07/06
LITTLE Britain star David Walliams was a big hero yesterday as he became one of the 50 fastest cross-Channel swimmers of all time.
The comic, 34, amazed himself and his suppporters by completing the 21-mile swim to France in just 10 hours and 34 minutes.
That’s not too far off the fastest time in history of seven hours three minutes, set by German Christof Wandratsch, 38, in August last year.
David began his epic charity effort at 5.30am yesterday, when the comic gave his mum a kiss and shook his dad by the hand, telling them: "It’s been nice knowing you!"
Speaking on the boat back to Dover last night, Walliams said: "I’ve been told that my time puts me in with the top 50 Channel swimmers of all time. How did that happen?
"I thought I would do it in about 14 hours. It must be all the good vibes! There needed to be a happy ending and there is. I feel it’s taken the sting out of the World Cup."
He faced many hazards during his Speedo Sport Relief Super Swim, including tankers, jellyfish, clinging seaweed, chilly temperatures, oil and sewage.
But he overcame them all – with the help of some pop songs.
David said: "I was thinking about lots of Pet Shop Boys songs, Morrissey songs and Abba songs. It helped to calm me down.
"I was also being told how many text messages had come in and how much money had been raised so far. That helped to keep me going. Now it’s nice to just relax. I’m just sitting on the boat, eating a choc bar and having a cup of tea."
David has already raised £400,000 towards his target of £500,000, thanks to celeb sponsors include his Little Britain co-star Matt Lucas, 32, and singer Robbie Williams, 32.
A documentary about his Sport Relief swim will be shown on BBC1 at 8pm on July 13.
I really thought his attempt was just a publicity thing. All power to the guy for making it across so fast ;D
