Ant and Dec are preparing for the launch of I’m A Celebrity…, but took time out to send pal Paddy McGuinness a message as he nears the end of his gruelling Children in Need challenge

Ant and Dec have revealed they are cheering on their pal Paddy McGuinness from Down Under as the comedian nears the end of his Children in Need challenge.

The presenters shared a touching message on their Instagram Stories as Paddy prepared for one last push. In their caption, they wrote: “You’re almost there @mcguinness.paddy, what an amazing challenge and incredible amount of money you have raised!”

They followed up their words of encouragement with clapping hands and muscle emojis before adding: “We’re cheering you on from Australia! #PaddyUltra”

The image of Paddy with Pudsey the Bear shows the fantastic total of almost £6million that has been raised so far. The presenter is attempting to cycle from Wrexham AFC in North Wales, to Glasgow on a Raleigh Chopper bike, with thousands coming out to support him.

Ant and Dec’s Instagram message ( Image: Ant and Dec/Instagram)

As well as Ant and Dec, one of those supporting him was fellow comedian, Peter Kay. Speaking on BBC Radio 2, Peter said: “Got no where ya going, got no where ya going, cycling on the road to no where – somewhere actually. Hello Patrick me old pal, keep peddling, keep thinking of all those children you’re helping by riding that chopper, a chopper! What were you thinking? We didn’t even have a chopper when we were at school.”

He added: “I love ya, I’m proud of ya son – you can do it, get across that finish line and get yourself a nice garlic bread! This is the way to Glasgow-rilla”

Speaking ahead of Thursday’s leg of the mammoth challenge, Paddy said: “We’re just starting the day off and we’re over £3 million… Wow, I keep saying this because it’s the strangest thing, I’m absolutely in bits physically and emotionally but I will miss this, I will miss this positivity, this feeling of love that everyone’s getting behind Children in Need.

Paddy’s tough challenge will end tonight ( Image: Facebook)“Oh I love it, I love it so much… Do you know, we’ve got all day to go, the people in Scotland are amazing already, the people all across the rest of the country are still donating and I want who’s anyone in Scotland, tomorrow, and we are going to get to Glasgow, by hook or by crook, I’ll drag the bike and walk if I have to. I want as many in Glasgow because together people, all involved in this, you will leave a better person, you’ll feel that love. Come along tomorrow in Glasgow and let’s go out in style!”

Earlier this week, Paddy revealed he sought assistance ahead of undergoing the challenge from Olympic superstar Sir Chris Hoy who put him through his paces with a brutal training regime.