The BBC Morning Live team, including co-hosts Gethin Jones and Gaby Roslin, were shocked as he said it’s his “inspiration”
Doctor Xand van Tulleken has revealed that his mother kept a “secret” from him for years. It finally took him by surprise when it was revealed to him on holiday, he told the BBC Morning Live team today as he discussed an upcoming event.
As part of the “Wheely Big Challenge for Comic Relief,” presenters Gethin Jones and Helen Skelton will be roller-skating continuously for 24 hours to raise funds for charity. In the spirit of the challenge, some of the team members, including Doctor Xand, are also getting involved.
Talking about the upcoming challenge, Gethin said that he was set to skate with the doctor to practice and didn’t expect much. He shared: “I thought Xand will be rubbish and I will have to hold his hand. He’ll be one of these guys who holds onto the rails the whole time.
“Anyway, I’m skating for half an hour, he’s [Xand] on a phone call. The next thing I’m getting around the corner and he appears from nowhere like a pro.”
Showing a video of the much-loved doctor zooming by the presenter, he was asked where he learned his skill – and those in the studio were amazed. Dr Xand revealed: “My inspiration for my skating is my mother, who grew up figure skating in Canada and kept it a secret from all her children until one day we were on holiday and she put on some roller blades and took off.”
Recalling the moment, he said: “I went ‘oh my goodness’. I’ve never seen my mother do this before and I practiced a lot as a kid.”
Working “up a good sweat in 40 minutes”, Dr Xand said what Gethin and Helen are doing is quite a challenge, and praised Gethin for doing so well. You can watch all about their upcoming challenge via the BBC Morning Live website here.