The One Show presenter Christine Bleakley has completed her water-ski challenge across the English Channel in one hour and 40 minutes.

The star raised thousands of pounds for Sport Relief by crossing the 21-mile busy shipping lane to France.

On completing the task, she said: “I can’t believe I’ve actually done it. It was really tough.”

Strong winds meant the 31-year-old, who fell eight times during the challenge, faced sub-zero temperatures.

“The water was freezing and having to get up after every fall was exhausting,” the star added.

“Thank you so much to everyone who has supported me along the way, it really kept me going out there.”

The task had been delayed several times because of poor weather and the presenter still had to compete with strong winds during the ordeal.

Before setting off, Bleakley had admitted to being “petrified” as she is frightened of water and is not a strong swimmer.

The star has been in training for just a few weeks and has only recently started water-skiing.

She decided to take on the “crazy” task for Sport Relief after visiting East Africa last year.

Despite everything Christine can still manage a smile. A sunnier disposition it would be hard to find
Sport Relief on Twitter

“I went to Uganda where I met Hajjara, a teenage girl carrying the weight of the world on her young shoulders,” Bleakley said.

“After losing her parents to Aids, she’s been left all alone to care for her younger siblings.”

The star’s progress was followed on the official Sport Relief Twitter feed. Shortly after she began the challenge, it said: “Seventh fall – seven miles done. Cold, hard, slog.”

Eddie Cheever said: “You are crazy and amazing all at the same time.”

And David Anthony called her “an inspiration”.

Footage of her challenge will be shown on The One Show at 1900 GMT on Friday.

A whole host of stars have been taking part in sporting challenges for the charity.

Earlier this month David Walliams, Fearne Cotton and Davina McCall completed a bike ride from John O’Groats on the tip of Scotland to Land’s End in Cornwall.