Emma Willis, Rylan Clark and Oti Mabuse huddle in tent to keep warm on first night of mountain challenge

They’re camping out in freezing temperatures as they hike through Scotland’s Cairngorms for Comic Relief
Emma Willis has given an update after getting through the first night of her, Rylan Clark and Oti Mabuse’s mountain challenge for Red Nose Day 2023
PA
Tina Campbell9 February 2023
The Weekender

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Emma Willis has revealed that she, Rylan Clark and Oti Mabuse were forced to huddle together in their tent to keep warm on the first night of their three-day charity mountain challenge.

The trio are now into their second day as they attempt to reach the top of the Cairngorm mountains for Red Nose Day 2023.

The TV presenter, 46, said things got off to a chilly start with temperatures last night on the Scottish Highlands dropping to freezing as she, TV and radio presenter Clark, 34, and former Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Mabuse, 32, tried to camp on their way up a mountain.

Willis told the PA news agency on Thursday: “I think it got to about -1°C last night, -2°C and it rained for quite a few hours and then snowed so Oti just made us get into bed, basically, and we got into our sleeping bags at (7.30pm) and stayed there to (6.30am).”

Adding: “So we literally were too scared to get out in case we started to get really cold, so we just bedded in and we were with each other in a tent so (they were) kind of rolling on top of me in the night.”

Speaking ahead of the challenge on Wednesday, Mabuse said she was “petrified” and “worried” as her “strong” dancer legs were already “hurting” during their training.

She added: “It’ll be interesting to see how they cope with days of walking, especially carrying a heavy pack.

“I know Comic Relief challenges are meant to push you, but this will be the hardest thing I have ever taken on… I’m going to have to dig deep to make it to the finish line.”

Meanwhile, normally bubbly Clark said this challenge was “probably more dangerous than funny”.

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