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This is why three top telly presenters were sitting on a sofa by the river in York

Wed 21 Feb

Harry Gration, Amy Garcia and Paul Hudson hop aboard the famous red Look North sofa by the River Ouse in York in 2018. Photograph: Richard McDougall

Wed 21 Feb 2018  @ 7:00pm
YorkMix
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It might be the most famous sofa in Yorkshire.

And now the red BBC Look North couch is going on tour across the county – hauled, pushed and rolled by the presenters themselves.

Anchors Harry Gration and Amy Garcia, along with weatherman Paul Hudson, are leaving their Leeds studio to go on an epic trek for Sport Relief.

They will spend eight days taking the sofa 100 miles to 50 locations across Yorkshire. And the adventure will also mark 50 years of BBC Look North.

Great fun – but hard work

[arve url=”https://youtu.be/XKY4BeWgb3Q” title=”BBC Look North sofa challenge” /]

The trio launched their challenge by taking the sofa to the River Ouse in York – the city that’s home to both Harry and Amy.

“Pulling the sofa isn’t going to be easy but I’m looking forward to exploring the region, particularly the route from Filey to Scarborough as I love that area,” Harry said.

“And I always enjoy getting out and about to meet our viewers, that’s what it’s all about.”

They hope to raise £300,000 for Sport Relief. The challenge also marks 50 years of BBC Look North which made its first broadcast on March 25, 1968.

They will be in York on day two of the challenge, Friday, March 16. See below for the full route.

The intrepid trio

Amy added: “Pulling the sofa around 50 places in Yorkshire in eight days is going to be quite a challenge but it’s the perfect way to celebrate Look North’s 50th anniversary.

“It’s going to be hard work though as the sofa is a lot heavier than we thought.”

Weather presenter Paul Hudson also commented: “Both our previous challenges – the tandem bike ride and the three-legged challenge – were really successful and this challenge will once again raise money for Sport Relief.

“I think this one is going to be really tough though, particularly the bit from Stanage Edge to Hathersage in Derbyshire. I’m sure Harry will be laid down on the sofa while Amy and I do all the hard work!”

How Harry hopes it will be
And how it will probably be! Photograph: Claire Wood Photography

Where they are going

Taking it lying down

The team will set off on March 15th in Birstall near Batley and will finish on March 22nd in the market town of Otley.

Day 1 – Thursday March 15th Birstall to Ossett (also calling at Heckmondwike, Batley and Dewsbury)

Day 2 – Friday March 16th Tadcaster to York (also calling at Bolton Percy, Appleton Roebuck, Acaster Malbis and Bishopthorpe)

Day 3 – Saturday March 17th Filey to Scarborough (also calling at Gristhorpe, Lebberston, Cayton and Osgodby)

Day 4 – Sunday March 18th Bradford to Haworth (also calling at Sandy Lane, Wilsden, Harecroft and Cullingworth)

Day 5 – Monday March 19th Pontefract to Pugneys (also calling at North Featherstone, Featherstone, Nostell Priory, Crofton and Walton)

Day 6 – Tuesday March 20th Sheffield to Hathersage (also calling at Stanage Edge)

Day 7 – Wednesday March 21st Chesterfield to Rother Valley (also calling at Brimmington Common, Brimmington, Barrow Hill, West Handley, Middle Handley, Marsh Lane, Eckington, Spinkhill and Woodhall)

Day 8 – Thursday March 22nd – Leeds to Otley (also calling at Horsforth, Rawdon, Yeadon, and Guiseley)

A half hour documentary reflecting on the major news stories that BBC Look North has covered over the last 50 years will broadcast on Sunday 25 March at 7.30pm on BBC One in Yorks and Lincs


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