Richard Branson Visits Chiswick

Unveils celebrity team for London Triathlon

Sir Richard Branson visited Chiswick today (Tuesday, July 3) and unveiled his celebrity team for the 2012 London Triathlon which is sponsored by Virgin Active fitness centres.

“It is a great event and we have got a lot of celebrities who are going to participate and as always I am going to give it a go myself" he said at the Riverside Club.

The 61-year old tycoon, who is famous for his love of adventure sports, was celebrating becoming the oldest person to kite surf across the English channel. He crossed the 30-mile stretch from Dymchurch in Kent to Wimereux, near Boulogne in France, in three hours and 45 minutes at the weekend.

A host of celebrities will be joining him to raise money for charities such as Cancer Research UK and Wellchild, the national charity for sick children, as they run, cycle and swim at the ExCel centre in east London in September.

Team Branson is made up of an eclectic mix of celebrities from the worlds of TV, film, music, radio and theatre.

Team Branson includes a host of celebrities

Dancing on Ice judge Louie Spence was joined by 2011 contestant Chelsee Healey, Take Me Out – The Gossip host Zoe Hardman and The Only Way is Essex Lydia Bright and Ricky Rayment. 

TV presenter Jeff Brazier joined husband and wife presenting team Michael Underwood and Angellica Bell andreality TV stars Ollie Locke, Nicola Mclean and Michelle Heaton.

Broadcasters including Sky News anchor Kay Burley, Heart 106.2 presenter Toby Anstis and Capital Radio’s James Barr are also taking part.

Completing the first wave team are EastEnder Charlie Brooks, Harry Potter actor Oliver Phelps, former S Club 7 singer Jon Lee, model and fitness fan Nell McAndrew

 The Virgin Active London Triathlon is the world’s largest event of its type and takes place on the 22 nd and 23 rd September at London’s Excel Centre.

“This is the second year that Virgin Active has sponsored the London Triathlon and I’m thrilled that I can compete again this year.  Last year I completed the swim but don’t think my backstroke went down too well so I’m going to be cycling this time!  The celebrity team is so full of energy and raring to go – but if they think they can beat me, they’d better get training at Virgin Active, as I mean business!”

Pop singer Alexandra Burke, who is competing in the Sprint category, swimming 750m, cycling 20km and running 5km adds,

“I am so excited to be a part of the Virgin Active London Triathlon and taking part alongside the other team members.  It was such an honour to be asked to take part by Sir Richard Branson as I’ve never done anything like this and it’s great to raise money for a good cause.  I haven’t been training as hard as I’d have liked but I’m going to really go for it!  I love having a goal to aim for and this challenge is right up there.”

US actor and TV presenter David Hasselhoff will be flying into the capital especially to take part in the event.  After first meeting Sir Richard on the set of Baywatch, David leapt at the chance to join him and the other team members and says;

“I’m really looking forward to being a part of this prestigious event in London during such a fantastic sporting year, 2012.  Having spent so many years jumping from high buildings and doing stunts, that this should be a breeze!  London, look out, this year’s Virgin Active London Triathlon is going to be Hoff the Hook!”

July 3, 2012