Walliams completes swim

Comedian's 140-mile journey raises more than £1m...

08:38 13 September 2011

David Walliams has completed his 140-mile swim down the River Thames, raising more than £1million for Sport Relief in the process.

The comedian reached the finish point at Westminster Bridge eight days after starting near the river's source.

Walliams' achievement comes despite catching a crippling stomach bug, dubbed Thames Tummy, from swallowing some of the water.

During the challenge, the Little Britain star also rescued a Labrador named Vinny, stepping in when the dog struggled to swim back to the river bank.

Speaking on the BBC's One Show after his victory, David said:

"I'm okay, I'm a bit tired. [I feel] incredible relief, because I must say I'm over swimming. I feel like I've done enough swimming for one lifetime.

"There was a lot against me, and the water was a lot colder than we expected, and getting ill was just the worse because when you're feeling sick the last thing you want to do is exercise.

"That was really low because it got to me mentally as well. I lost my mojo completely - it was really tough." 

Walliams was greeted on Westminster Bridge by his wife; model Lara Stone, who has been following his progress in a support boat.

Organisers of the BT Sport Relief Challenge said Walliams' swim had raised £1,093,325 by the time he finished, with more continuing to come in.

Walliams has previously completed other swims for charity, crossing the English Channel in 2006 and swimming the Strait of Gibraltar in 2008.