His hands are covered in blisters and he feared he “was a goner” after a scrape on The Thames. But nothing will stop Radio 1 star Jordan North on Monday when he sets off on a 100-mile rowing challenge for Comic Relief.
DJ Jordan, 32, has spent weeks being put through his paces for a five-day fundraiser he describes as “the biggest physical challenge of my life”.
He will row solo from London to his home town Burnley, Lancs, navigating an elaborate network of canals.
That will be some feat for someone who had never rowed at all until he launched intense training six weeks ago.
Get all the latest news sent to your inbox. Sign up for the free Mirror newsletter
Jordan – who was runner-up in I’m a Celebrity two years ago – has been out on the Thames three days a week and belting out the miles on a gym rowing machine on another three. It’s tough. But his experience on Celeb has stood him in good stead.
Jordan says: “If it wasn’t for I’m a Celeb I probably wouldn’t have done this. That show was the best thing I ever did.
“It gave me a new lease of life. If I can get in a coffin full of snakes, I can do anything.
“This is definitely harder, physically, but there’s no snake involved, so it’s not as scary.
“I’ve probably never been as committed to anything – so I will give it my all.”
The Sunday Mirror met Jordan for his final warm-up session at Fulham Reach Boat Club, West London.
He looks to be taking it all in his stride – though things haven’t always gone entirely smoothly.
He explains: “ I nearly capsized earlier this week. And I spent the first few sessions rowing around in circles.
“We’re just down the river from the crew who train from the Oxford and Cambridge Rowing team. One session they suddenly appeared and I could see this guy on a megaphone shouting to me to ‘Move! Move!’
“I was in the middle of the water flapping around and I honestly thought they were going to crash into me.
“I thought I was a goner! I managed to just get out the way but then got dirty looks from these big lads.”
Jordan has cut right back on the booze in a bid to be in the best shape he possibly can.
“That’s a good thing because I can’t do this on a hangover,” he smiles.
His Radio 1 pals, including co-host Vick Hope, think he is putting on muscle – but Jordan isn’t convinced.
He says: “I was putting on a tux and couldn’t get my trousers past my thighs, but I can’t see the change myself.
“I feel like an old man most days. I’m aching so much I’m making noises like my dad! My hands are covered in blisters too. I’ve been given a rowing machine so I can practise at home but it’s in my bedroom – and every time I go to the toilet I stub my foot on it.”
Today, I’m yelling encouragement in a support boat with his trainer Tracy Corbett – who says Jordan is “a natural”.
She suggests he is so well co-ordinated he should be trying his hand at Strictly Come Dancing next. Jordan is flattered – and grateful for all the good luck wishes.
He says: “I’ve had so much support. From Sir Steve Redgrave to Greg, [James, his Radio 1 pal] who’s done lots of challenges like this, have been in touch. Greg’s joked, ‘You’ll either smash it or end up in the Irish Sea’.”
Within half an hour it has gone from torrential downpour to sunshine, which has Jordan admitting: “I’m most worried about the great British weather… and shopping trolleys falling in the canals if there are more storms.”
His fundraising mission was inspired by a 19-year-old called Steph, who grew up in hostels but has benefited from the Liverpool-based charity Local Solutions.
It is funded by Comic Relief and provides access to water sports to young people without a full-time home.
“People like Steph just remind me what this is all for,” says Jordan.
“It’s the most gruelling experience of my life but something I wanted to be part of. I just hope I make it so my mum can bring me a Guinness at the end!”
Jordan’s challenge will be followed by Radio 1, with canalside broadcasts of Going Home with Vick and Jordan, from 3.30 to 5.45pm.
It also features in a documentary on BBC Three and iPlayer in the run-up to Red Nose Day on Friday, March 18.
