Teams & Participants
Josh Lewsey, Captain
Josh is a former World Champion English and British Lions rugby player who played fullback, wing or centre for Wasps. He is also a former British army officer and recently attempted an ascent on Mt Everest.
Christopher "Chris" Boardman MBE
Chris Boardman is a former Olympic Gold Medalist and World Champion cyclist. He won an individual pursuit gold medal at the 1992 Summer Olympics and broke the world hour record three times, as well as winning three stages and wearing the yellow jersey on three separate occasions at the Tour de France. In 1992, he was awarded an MBE for services to British cycling.
Robert Edmond
Rob Edmond TV Trainer. He spent several years in the S.A.S and is known for his no nonsense approach. Renowned for his high fitness level & focus and his ability to get the best out of others from professional athletes to the obese. He recently has been appearing as the tough trainer on the 'Biggest Loser' on ITV1.
Katy Hill
Katy Hill has a Best Presenter BAFTA Award, and started her TV career in 1994 on the BBC's Blue Peter where she became known as a lover of all things adrenaline — jumping out of planes, flying fast jets and training with the British Bobsleigh Team! She went on to front shows such as Live & Kicking & Top of the Pops and shows on Capital FM London, plus the nations biggest chart, Hit 40 UK. Her love of sport saw her star in The Games on Channel 4, and she hosted the Olympics Party live from Trafalgar Square to a huge worldwide audience when London was awarded the 2012 Olympics. Katy has two children — 5 year old Kaya and 2 year old Akria, who'll be cheering her on!
Phil Spencer
Best known as co-host of the popular property shows Location, Location, Location and Relocation, Relocation, Phil is a successful broadcaster and author. As an author his writing career includes his book "Adding Value to Your Home". Phil and his wife, Fiona, have two sons, Jake and Ben. He is an Ambassador for SOS Children's Villages and Broadway, a London homelessness charity.
Richard Stannard
Richard Stannard is former British Triathlon Champion and three time World Aquathlon Champion and three time Biathle Champion. He was the International Triathlon Union World Athlete Representative from 2004 to 2009.
Dame Ellen MacArthur
Ellen first hit the headlines in 2001 when she raced single-handedly non-stop around the world in the Vendée Globe when only 24 years old. In November 2004, Ellen became the fastest person to circumnavigate the globe single-handed. She was knighted by the Queen in 2005 and has received the Legion d'Honneur from French President, Nicolas Sarkozy.
Martin Corry MBE
Martin is one of the highest regarded rugby players in the world. For both club and country, he has lifted every major trophy on offer, including many Six Nations titles and the Rugby World Cup in 2003. He would appear in the 2007 World Cup Final also, narrowly losing to South Africa. He moved to Leicester Tigers in 1997 for who he next ten years. He was a double British Lion in 2001 and 2005.
Phil Vickery MBE
The son of a dairy farmer, Phil was educated at Budehaven School. Vickery played in the 1999 Rugby World Cup and toured Australia with the British and Irish Lions in 2001 and played in all three tests. He toured with the Lions again to South Africa in 2009. Phil captained England during the 2007 Six Nations and 2007 Rugby World Cup. He was one of only four players to have started both the 2003 and 2007 RWC Finals. Since retiring, he has won BBC Celebrity Master Chef 2011.
Thom Evans, Captain
Thom Evans was one of the rising stars of Scottish and British Rugby when his International Career was tragically cut short in a Six Nations Fixture against Wales when he suffered a severe neck injury. Two operations were required to repair the damage which ended his career, the injury only millimeters from causing either paralysis or death. Now fully recovered Thom has begun his first steps into Television presenting and is back and ready to represent Scotland again in the FNH Challenge!
Graeme Obree
Graeme Obree is one of the finest cyclists this country has ever produced. He gained fame as an individual time trialist breaking the world record for the hour time trial on two occasions - on a bike made from washing machine spare parts. One of the records he broke was held by Team England's Chris Boardman, which should make for some nice rivalry during the race!
Dougie Vipond
Dougie Vipond is a Scottish musician and television personality who has been the main presenter of sport on BBC Scotland for over ten years. He was one of the founding members of chart topping Scottish band, Deacon Blue. Dougie spent four years reporting for the BBC's Holiday strand and his love of the outdoors has led to him presenting BBC Scotland's The Adventure Show. He became the new presenter of BBC Scotland's award winning rural affairs series, Landward in April 2009.
Alain Baxter
As the son of Iain and Sue Baxter, who were both members of the British Ski Team there was little doubt as to what sport Alain would follow. At 16, he was selected to the British Alpine Ski Team. In the Salt Lake City Olympics of 2002, Baxter made British Olympic history by becoming the first British skier to win a medal in alpine skiing. After retiring from Skiing he took up track cycling and narrowly missed selection to the 2010 Delhi Commonwealth Games.
Jennifer Reoch
Jennifer Reoch is the current reigning Miss Scotland. Some of the highlights of her year include doing her first international photo shoot in Cyprus, placing 7th in the Miss World competition and most recently reaching the summit of Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania along with the rest of the fundraising team from her chosen Miss Scotland charity, Wobbly Williams. Before being crowned Miss Scotland, Jennifer had just graduated from Glasgow University with a degree in Law and French and has always been involved in sports. From being chosen to train with the Scottish netball team to competing for her athletics club in events such as sprint hurdles. Jennifer is highly competitive and loves a challenge, she can't wait to get stuck into the FNH competition!
Cat Cubie
Cat Cubie is a well-known face in Scotland, predicting rain, hail and shine (but mostly rain) on the BBC as one of the nation's favourite weather presenters — as well as reporting for the national news… such as being the first non-Russian ever to train with the Moscow State Circus. So, there's no doubt she loves a challenge! Cat has had a diverse career as a presenter, broadcaster and writer; from making people's dreams come true on the Euromillions Lottery to writing her increasingly popular blog. Cat is extremely proud of being Scottish and really hopes to help the team be the First Nation Home!
Jock Wishart
Jock Wishart has established an international reputation as a leading maritime and polar adventurer and explorer. His most recent major expedition was the Old Pulteney Row to the Pole — a voyage by rowing boat to the 1996 position of the Magnetic North Pole — a feat that had not previously been attempted. Jock's amazing career has seen him row across the Atlantic, lead a crew which established fifteen new world speed records for a powered circumnavigation of the world and captained a team that broke the London-Paris rowing record in the CNA Maritime Challenge.
Kenny Logan
Kenny left school at 16 and began his rugby career with Stirling County, making his senior debut at 17. In 1996, he joined Wasps for his first professional season. In 2004, he signed for Glasgow and in September 2005 made his debut for London Scottish. He gained his first cap for Scotland in 1992, winning 70 caps over 13 years. He is married to television presenter Gabby Yorath. Alongside his wife, Kenny took part in the fifth series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Scott Hastings
Scott is a former Scottish Rugby player. He won 65 caps at centre for Scotland from 1986 to 1997. Alongside his brother Gavin, Scott earned his first cap on 17 January 1986 against France. When he retired, he was Scotland's most-capped player ever. Twice a member of the British Lions in 1989 and 1993. Since retiring from rugby Scott has concentrated on a career in Events and Sports Marketing and undertaken numerous media roles with ITV and Sky Sports.
Dr Stephanie Cook MBE
Stephanie was educated at Bedford High School and Lincoln College, Oxford. Having originally been a keen rower and a strong runner she took up Modern Pentathlon as it suited her well rounded sporting abilities. She put her medical career on hold to concentrate on her athletics and was duly rewarded with the gold medal in the Sydney 2000 Olympics and the world championships crown in 2001 before retiring from the sport in 2003. She was awarded an MBE in the 2001 New Year Honours and an Honorary Degree (Doctor of Medicine) from the University of Bath in 2008.
Craig Doyle, Captain
Craig Doyle is one of the most familiar faces on Irish Television. He grew up in the south Dublin suburb of Stillorgan. As a youngster his teachers wanted him to take to a religious career. Although he originally wanted to be a veterinary surgeon, he studied Sociology and History at St Patrick's College, Maynooth, followed by the London College of Printing, where he earned a diploma in Broadcast Journalism.
Amanda Byram
Formerly a model, Byram started her career on television in 1999 presenting the TV3 morning show Ireland AM. Soon afterwards she began appearing on British television, where she has presented Total Wipeout and Something for the Weekend on BBC. Her new show, Don't Stop Me Now, airs on Sky1 in Spring 2012.
Patrick (Paddy) Stephen Johns
Paddy Johns is a former Irish rugby union Captain he played mainly as a lock and occasionally in the back-row. He won 59 caps for his country and helped Ulster lift the Heineken Cup in 1999. He is now a practicing dentist helping many a former team mate and foe regain their smiles!
Sonia O'Sullivan
Sonia O'Sullivan can rightfully claim to be the first lady of Irish Athletics. For nearly 10 years she sat atop the world in middle distance running. World and European titles in cross country and 3, 5, and 10,000m on the track made her one of the finest athletes of her generation. Her Silver Medal in the 2000 Sydney Olympics was her sole Olympic reward having been struck down by Illness in both 1996 and 2004. Athens was to be her final Olympics and her standing ovation, lap of honour following the final of the 5000m showed just what admiration this champion was held in.
Diarmuid Gavin
Diarmuid Gavin is a garden designer, broadcaster and writer. His unique style in contemporary design and pushing the boundaries led him to become a household name. For 8 years he presented the top rated BBC series Home Front. Diarmuid has been a huge supporter of Comic Relief over the years having given up his time and Sweat on Strictly Come Dancing in 2004 & Only Fools on Horses for Sport Relief in 2006.
James "Shane" Byrne
Ireland International Shane Byrne started his international career of 41 caps comparatively late. In 2005 he was selected for the British and Irish Lions tour to New Zealand and played in the first and third tests. Byrne has scored a total of three tries for his country, scoring two of those in one match against Wales during the 2004 Six Nations. At club level, Shane excelled for both Leinster and Saracens. He is a director with Arklow Waste Disposal, his family business.
Joe Barr
Joe is a former professional cyclist and Commonwealth Games medallist. He famously came out of a decade of retirement to compete in the world's second most demanding endurance cycling race - a staggering 1350 mile circumnavigation of the Emerald Isle. Three years ago Joe's son Ross was diagnosed with cancer. It was this motivation that led Joe to compete, racing for four days with just four hours sleep in an attempt to raise money for the Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children.
Ian Moore
Ian is one of Irelands finest sailors. Educated at Belfast Royal Academy he fell in love with the sea from a young age. He has been involved in two Americas cup campaigns — one with Emirates Team New Zealand the other with current holders Team Oracle. He won the 2001-2 Volvo around the world race onboard illbruck. And also featured on board Green Dragon an all Irish crewed yacht in the 2008-9 Volvo race.
Gethin Jones, Captain
Former Blue Peter and Strictly Dancing star Gethin Jones is one of the hottest properties on British Television. This fluent Welsh speaker began his career on Welsh channel S4C before establishing himself nationally on Blue Peter. Since leaving Blue Peter in 2008 he has been showcasing his presenting and acting diversity on such shows as BBC Proms in the Park, Doctor Who and The One Show. He recently become engaged to long term girlfriend and opera star Katherine Jenkins.
Gareth Thomas
Is a Welsh professional rugby footballer who plays rugby league for the Crusaders in Europe's Super League. He previously played rugby union for the Cardiff Blues, Wales and the British Lions as a fullback, wing or centre.
Joseph William Calzaghe, CBE, MBE
Joe is regarded as the greatest ever British Boxer. He is the former WBO, WBA, WBC, IBF, The Ring & British super middleweight champion and The Ring Light Heavyweight champion and BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
Iwan Gwyn Thomas MBE
Iwan Thomas is a sprinter who represented Great Britain and Northern Ireland at the Olympic Games in the 400 m, and Wales at the Commonwealth Games. Thomas is the current UK record holder at 400 m with a time of 44.36 seconds and is a former European and Commonwealth games champion.
Dafydd James
Dafydd is a former Welsh rugby union international who plays on the wing or at centre. He began his professional career with Llanelli before joining Bridgend where he established himself as a lethal attacking force in the game. His ability to find the try line made him hot property — in fact he held the record for leading try scorer in the Heineken Cup with 29 until overtaken by Vincent Clerc in 2009. He toured with the British and Irish Lions in 2001. He has earned 48 caps for Wales and three for the British and Irish Lions.
Richard Parks
Richard is a former Wales international rugby union player who represented the likes of Newport Gwent Dragons, Leeds, Perpignan and Pontypridd. After his retirement through injury, he made history by becoming the first ever person to climb the highest summit on each of the world's continents and stand on all 3 poles (The North Pole, the South Pole and the summit of Everest) in a single calendar year. He completed his record making 737 Challenge (7 Summits, 3 Poles in 7 months) in just 6 months and 11 days.
Frances Donovan
Frances joined BBC Wales in 1994 as a news reporter. A year later she became the news presenter on the channel's Saturday afternoon sports programme. This success opened up loads of doors for Frances, who later presented Sport 24 on BBC News 24 and In The Net for Channel 5. She then returned to Wales and was chosen as the new host of Wales on Saturday. A huge rugby fan, Frances anchored ITV Wales Rugby World Cup Footage during the 2011 Tournament.
Edward Wright
Ed Wright is one of the true heavy-hitters of the sailing Finn Class who pulls out top performance after top performance. Renowned for being one of the fittest sailors in the fleet, Wright relishes the power of the Finn and the technical challenges of the class. He was selected as a integral member of the British Sailing Team at an early age which laid the pathway to his successful sailing career. He is the current World Champion of the Finn class.
Matthew Page
Matthew Page is a professional mountain biker, specialising in 24hour endurance events. Matt has always been a keen cyclist — but took up a Bike Courier Job in Cardiff to help keep up his fitness. Riding 100 miles per day certainly helped boost his fitness and he started winning big races. Matthew turned professional at the beginning of 2011. He specialises in Mountain Biking, but trains and race in all forms of cycling including road race events. He prides himself on endurance and has picked up the following awards 2011 TransWales Winner; UK 24hr Solo National Champion 2010; 6th 24hr Solo World Championships.
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