The challenge begins
Scott began the Great Scott TreadMills Challenge at 8am in the BBC Radio Theatre.
His aim was to keep walking, jogging or running for 24 hours while raising money for BBC Children in Need.
The event followed previous Radio 2 challenges by Rylan, Joe Wicks and Sophie Ellis-Bextor, but Scott’s version required him to stay on a treadmill through an entire day and night of broadcasting.
Zoe Ball launched the event during the Breakfast Show before the challenge moved through Ken Bruce, Jeremy Vine, Scott’s own afternoon slot, Sara Cox and Jo Whiley.
Early support
Olly Murs joined Scott during the morning but had arrived in unsuitable jeans that repeatedly slipped down while he walked.
Richie Anderson delivered travel updates from another treadmill, proving he could remain animated even while exercising.
Ken Bruce also took a turn, while Joe Wicks led a workout and reminded Scott not to exhaust himself early.
A first major fundraising update revealed a total of £40,710.
Scott had not expected to hear running totals and became emotional at the scale of the response.
Through the Radio 2 schedule
Jeremy Vine presented while walking in his usual suit, although he changed into trainers.
Guests joked that Jeremy was moving far too quickly for someone who also needed enough breath to conduct interviews.
Zoe Ball returned later and climbed onto another treadmill. The event became a reunion of Radio 2 colleagues, former Radio 1 friends and people who had completed similar challenges.
The physical effects gradually became more obvious. Scott used ice water, massage and short permitted breaks to manage his feet and legs.
Evening with Jo Whiley
By Jo Whiley’s programme, Scott had been moving for more than 11 hours.
The last announced total before one evening update was £178,517.
Jo helped slow the atmosphere down and encouraged him to think about reaching the halfway point rather than the following morning.
They revisited memories from their Radio 1 years, including a trip to Blackpool where Scott had been launched into the air on a fairground ride while The Killers refused to take part.
Tom Walker performed a specially written song celebrating Scott’s effort and asking listeners to donate.
Rylan appeared by video call from Amsterdam. Scott asked why he was not in the theatre, while Rylan offered support from a considerably more comfortable location.
The reason for the challenge
Throughout the broadcasts, young people and families explained how Children in Need-funded organisations had helped them.
Jamie and his mother Sue discussed British Blind Sport and the confidence its First Steps programme gave visually impaired children.
These contributions repeatedly returned the focus from Scott’s discomfort to the purpose of the event.
Into the night
Scott asked night workers, drivers and people awake in petrol stations to keep messaging him during the most isolated hours.
He said even a simple message saying he was doing well would help.
The challenge continued beyond the available 16 November broadcasts, with Scott heading towards the 8am finish the following morning.
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