Victoria Pendleton choked back tears as she spoke about her inspiration for taking part in Channel 4’s Don’t Look Down.
The chilling reality series sees a host of celebrities train to walk a tightrope in a bid to raise money for Stand Up To Cancer.
The Olympian, 43, spoke about her experiences on Monday’s BBC Breakfast, when she revealed that losing her twin brother Alex to cancer gave her the motivation to take part.
She explained: ‘There is nothing I wouldn’t do to raise money for research to help people and other patients not find themselves in such a sad situation.’
Almost in tears, she continued, “I lost my twin brother and yes… it’s close to my heart right now.”
Heartbreaking: Victoria Pendleton choked back tears during Monday’s BBC breakfast as she spoke about her inspiration for taking part in Channel 4’s Don’t Look Down
Heartbreaking: Victoria’s twin brother Alex died in June aged 42 after battling an ‘aggressive’ brain tumor and two months later she signed up to raise money for Stand Up To Cancer
Victoria added: ‘For me there is fear involved and it is scary, but that is nothing compared to suffering or suffering in the family with someone who has terminal cancer.
‘Treatment is suffering. Learning to walk on a wire, it is difficult, challenging but definitely worth it.’
Victoria’s twin brother Alex died in June at the age of 42 after battling an ‘aggressive’ brain tumor.
Graphic designer Alex was diagnosed with leukemia as a child and after more than thirty years in remission, his cancer tragically returned.
Victoria paid tribute to her sibling in an Instagram post, saying Alex would be “sorely missed by many.”
She posted a photo with her twin brother and wrote: ‘Alex Pendleton 24.09.80 – 22.06.23.
‘If you know me, you probably know my twin brother Alex. I just wanted to let you know that Alex sadly passed away this morning after an epic battle with an aggressive brain tumor.”
She continued: “He will be painfully missed by many. Rest in peace my kind, brave twin, you will be in our hearts forever ❤️ #twinner #betterhalfofme #heartbroken #missyou #wewillneverforgetyou.”
Candid: The show also features footballer Anton Ferdinand, who discussed his motivation for taking part in the breakfast news show
Tragic loss: Anton lost his mother Janice St Fort to cancer at the age of 58 in June 2017/
Alex was diagnosed with cancer at the age of four after being stung by a wild rose thorn that caused blood poisoning; he had leukemia at the time.
Victoria recalled the sudden onset of the illness, revealing that she still remembers the day he was rushed to hospital and the nights she prayed for his recovery.
When Victoria took part in the grueling reality show Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins in 2019, she revealed she signed up after being inspired by the way her brother battled the disease.
She explained: ‘The diagnosis was made quickly and he is with me today. I know many children and adults are not so lucky. I always feel very lucky to have him.
‘I am indebted to the doctors and nurses for getting him the treatment he needed.’
Two months after Alex’s death, she signed up for Don’t Look Down.
The show also features footballer Anton Ferdinand, who discussed his motivation for taking part in BBC Breakfast.
He explained: ‘(Older brother) Unfortunately, Rio’s first wife died of cancer and a few years later our mother.
“She was the driving force of our family, she kept us together, so losing someone so great and seeing it happen was the hardest part.
‘ID card I saw it happen to my grandfather, but seeing my mother go through it was something I really, really struggled with.
‘We’re doing this for something so much bigger than any of us and it’s tearing the world apart with this disease… if we can get to a place where at least prevention is possible, that would be fantastic/
“If we can play a small role in getting close to that, then as far as I’m concerned we’ve done our bit.”
Paying tribute to his mother Janice St Fort on the day of her death, Anton shared on Instagram: ‘I lost my loving, caring and forever selfless mother. Mom, I spent 32 years of my life doing nothing but putting myself first!
“Always concerned and concerned about others before yourself, an inspiration to me, my brothers, sister and husband Peter, and to everyone she had in her life. Mom, we’ll have our conversations tomorrow morning on my way to work.
‘Thank you to all the staff at Guys Cancer Care for keeping my mother comfortable and pain-free on her way to heaven to be with her father. RIP Mom I love you and miss you always Mom, your son. (sic)’
Don’t Look Down line-up: Chris Hughes, Beverley Callard, David Ginola, GK Barry, Anton, Victoria, Charley Boorman, Kimberley Wyatt, Paddy McGuinness and Fats Timbo
The challenging series sees Paddy McGuinness host and lead a team of celebrities who try to work together to tackle an incredible high wire walk.
During a summer training camp in the Austrian Alps, the famous faces are coached for six weeks to overcome their fears as they undergo a series of physically and mentally demanding training exercises.
At the end of the training, under the guidance of the world’s leading high-wire walking experts, the group faces the challenge of a lifetime: the most nerve-wracking and dizzying high-wire running imaginable. to suggest.
While Paddy will lead the celebrity troupe, he will be joined by celebrities including actor Beverley Callard, footballer David Ginola and Love Island star Chris Hughes as they raise money for Stand Up To Cancer.
Don’t Look Down for SU2C continues on Tuesday at 9.15pm on Channel 4