Beverley Callard opens up about her ‘meltdowns’ during Don’t Look Down training

Virgin Radio

18 Oct 2023, 08:24

Coronation Street legend Beverley Callard has revealed how she struggled to control her emotions during the intense training for Don’t Look Down for Stand Up 2 Cancer. 

Don’t Look Down features the beloved soap star alongside the likes of Paddy McGuinness, former footballer Anton Ferdinand and Olympian Victoria Pendelton, all of whom will have to walk on a high-wire 300 feet above London.

In order to train for the never-before-attempted challenge, the stars travelled to the Austrian Alps with high-wire experts. That training included a number of death-defying stunts and adrenaline-fuelled challenges.

The famous faces all had to start with low-wires before graduating to the very highest training wire, but for Beverley, the very first day turned out to be her most challenging. 

“I had a meltdown because of being so crappy at wire walking, but it was brilliant,” she explained. “My first day, the very first challenge, we knew that we had to get used to being higher up and try to overcome a fear of heights. To be honest, I didn't think my fear of heights wouldn't be that bad. Once you get out there, no matter what challenge you're doing, your fear gets stronger, because it becomes a reality.”

The I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! star described herself as “a brave person” but also found the experience of the high-wire “daunting” when approaching the tightrope. 

She continued: “We didn't know what we're doing until five minutes before you had to do it. That was the most scary thing because it was just the anticipation. Normally they say the anticipation is worse than the event. No, the event was worse. Every single time the event was worse.”

The daredevil challenge continues tonight (18th October) and for Beverley, it might bring out her biggest fears, but it’s for a cause incredibly close to her heart. The telly star was diagnosed with cervical cancer when she was 32 and has lost friends to the disease too. 

On the motivation to join the challenge series, the Two Pints of Lager actress shared: “When they first asked me to do it, I did think I've got no chance of walking on the high wire, I have got no chance of being able to stay up there. Then my next thought was, well, they're not going to let me die. I just thought I can't say no to this. I can't say no. I've said before, I'm not into reality shows that much but the cause is so amazing. I thought I've got to say yes.”

Joining Beverley, Anton, Victoria and Paddy on the high wire are Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt,  content creator Fats Timbo, Love Island finalist turned sports presenter Chris Hughes, and TikTokker GK Barry, Charley Boorman, and footballers Anton Ferdinand and David Ginola.

Don’t Look Down for Stand Up To Cancer, stream or watch live tonight (18th October) at 9:15pm.