That must be worth a Blue Peter badge! Presenter Helen Skelton becomes first to walk across Battersea Power Station in daring charity challenge

By David Wilkes


Fearless: Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton became the first person to high-wire walk across Battersea Power Station today after completing her challenge for Red Nose Day 2011


It took a lot more than sticky back plastic for her to hold it together.

But then Blue Peter presenter Helen Skelton was teetering on a steel wire slightly narrower than a 10p coin suspended 217ft up between two of Battersea Power Station’s chimneys.

Yesterday the plucky 27-year-old became the first person to do the high-wire walk at the South London landmark, taking a nerve-racking 14 minutes to complete the 160-yard journey.

Daring: Helen took just 11 minutes to complete the feat as she crossed the wire 66 metres in the air

Nearly there: The end is in sight for Helen as she travelled across the wire to the other stack


The weather was windy and she had to take countless deep breaths to stop herself from wobbling.

For the last few steps she could barely see because one of her contact lenses had fallen out.

Miss Skelton, who trained for two months for the stunt in aid of Comic Relief’s Red Nose Day on March 18, completed her walk without a net, although she did wear a harness attached to a safety wire.

Hugs all round: Helen is congratulated by fellow Blue Peter presenter Andy Akinwolere after completing the challenge

Delighted: Helen looks rightfully excited about finishing the wire-walk without having fallen at all

Celebration: Helen does a jump of delight in front of Battersea Power Station for photographers


The presenter, who last year completed a 2,000-mile solo kayak along the Amazon for Sport Relief, said: ‘This is definitely the scariest thing I’ve done. I was freaking out because the first bit was so wobbly. After the first five steps, I wanted to go back. It’s a relief to get it finished.’

Viewers can watch Miss Skelton in action in Comic Relief: Girl On Wire, to be shown on BBC1 on March 11 at 7.30pm.

To sponsor Helen go to www.rednoseday.com/girlonwire.

The original: Helen was inspired by Philippe Petit in the film Man On Wire. Here, he is seen balancing on the edge of the World Trade Centre


Source:dailymail