Two people smugglers who ran a ‘Tripadvisor’ travel service for illegal immigrants from a Welsh car wash have been jailed.

Migrants would leave reviews on social media on videos filmed inside lorries or boats for the journeys arranged by Dilshad Shamo, 43, and Ali Khdir, 42.

The pair smuggled about 100 migrants to Europe weekly for two years via planes, boats, lorries, taxis and cars.

Iraqi-born Shamo and Iranian-born Khdir made a turnover of £1.8million in just six months secretly running the operation out of the carwash in Caerphilly.

Recorder of Cardiff, Tracey Lloyd Clarke, told them: ‘You were both the organisers of a large and sophisticated network which enabled the successful illegal movement of a very large number of migrants from Iran, Iraq, and Syria into and across Europe.

‘You provided that service to almost anyone who was prepared to pay your fees.’

She added: ‘You were friends and operated the Fast Track Car Wash on Pontygwindy Road in Caerphilly.

‘You were both involved in trafficking individuals – that is people smuggling – for financial gain. Those people were predominantly from Iran, Iraq or Syria.

‘Migrants paid, often thousands of pounds, to be trafficked by you and many other by various routes.’

Migrants would leave reviews on social media on videos filmed inside lorries or boats for the journeys arranged by Dilshad Shamo, 43, and Ali Khdir, 42

Migrants in a video filmed in 2022 when they were in Romania during their journey across Europe 

Shamo (left) and Khdir (right) in a surveillance picture taken by NCA officers 

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The smugglers moved people from Iraq, Iran and Syria through the EU to Italy, Romania, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Croatia, Austria, Germany, France and Britain.

The duo, who lived and worked legally in Britain, ran the operation using a Middle Eastern money-transfer system called Hawala banking.

They offered migrants a multi-tier service, with higher fees for premium modes of transport.

And they encouraged their customers to rate the journeys in videos including one in which a man sat at the back of a lorry gives a thumbs up after being asked how his route was, and a another involving an Iranian family smuggled to Europe who shout: ‘God bless you, we are very grateful.’

In another video, a migrant says: ‘Lorry route agreed with knowledge of the driver; here we have men, women and children – thank God the route was easy and good.’

Further footage shows men smiling to the camera as they pointed to at least a dozen other migrants travelling on a boat.

Derek Evans, NCA branch commander, said Shamo and Khdir ran the illegal business ‘like a travel agency.’

Shamo, an Iraqi national, pictured in a police mugshot 

Iranian national Ali Khdir worked alongside Shamo to move people from Iraq , Iran and Syria through the EU to Italy, Romania , Bulgaria, Slovenia, Croatia, Austria, Germany and France

‘It’s like Tripadvisor, they were rating their service within that community,’ he added.

The ‘platinum’ tier cost between £10,000 and £25,000 and would provide migrants with a fake passport and air travel.

The second highest tier, the ‘gold’ service, came with transport via ship for between £8,000 and £10,000, while the bronze service for between £3,000 and £5,000 involved travel on a lorry or dinghy across the Channel.

The pair are thought to have transported thousands of people across Europe, making enormous profits.

Mr Evans said: ‘Our long-running investigation showed Khdir and Shamo were working around the clock to orchestrate the movement of migrants across Europe. We believe they smuggled more than 400 people in a period of just six months.’

Fast Track hand car wash in Caerphilly, south Wales, which was used as a base for Shamo and Khdir to smuggle people 

Very little of the profits have been recovered, as the processing was done through the Hawala system.

‘So, most of that money is still in Iraq or Kurdistan,’ Mr Evans said.

Shamo and Khdir, of Caerphilly, South Wales, admitted five counts of conspiring to breach migration laws in Italy, Romania, Croatia and Germany.

Cardiff Crown Court heard the offences – under the 1971 Immigration Act – are alleged to have been carried out between October 2022 and April 2023.

Shamo and Khdir were each jailed for 19 years and told they must serve at least 40 per cent of their sentence behind bars.

By CAITLIN LENG

Published: 14:59 EDT, 9 April 2026 | Updated: 18:45 EDT, 9 April 2026

Tributes have been paid to a nun ‘remembered for her great kindness’ following her death in a road traffic collision in Newport. 

Sister Genevieve, previously called Anne Clanchy, died after being hit by a car on Stow Park Avenue on February 24. 

Officers were called to the scene at around 3.55pm after reports of a collision involving a pedestrian and a car.

The pedestrian, confirmed by Gwent Police to be 87-year-old Sister Genevieve, was taken to hospital but sadly passed away. 

Now, tributes have been paid to the nun – who belonged to the St. Joseph of Annecy congregation for 67 years – by her fellow sisters, who described her death as a ‘shock.’

They said: ‘Sister Genevieve’s sudden death is a shock to the sisters and all those who knew her.

‘She will be remembered for her great kindness to everyone that she met, her interest in them and their lives, her love of life and her quiet, deep faith.’

The tribute acknowledged her teaching career, noting that Sister Genevieve ‘taught in schools’ across England and also served as the headmistress of St. Winifred’s School in South London.

Sister Genevieve (pictured) died after being hit by a car in Newport in February

In retirement, they said she returned to her home area of Chatham in Kent where she: ‘enjoyed being part of so many parish activities, making many friends.’ 

They added: ‘In recent years she had been living in Newport and continued to reach out to others through the local groups that she joined.’

The sisters have asked for privacy at this time, police have said. 

Britain basked in the hottest April 7 on record yesterday – and the mercury is set to leap even higher today.

Temperatures are predicted to climb as high as 26C, which would mean eclipsing yesterday as the warmest day of the year so far.

The Welsh island of Anglesey saw the highest temperature yesterday, with 24.8C recorded in Mona.

But today the hottest spots are set to be in central and south-eastern England, as the latest weather map reveals. 

The Met Office said: ‘The highest temperatures in the UK have been in north-west Wales today.

‘Here we’ve had the warmest April 7 on record and the highest temperature of 2026 so far.

‘We’re very likely to see higher temperatures as we move through the rest of spring and towards summer.’

Forecasters have also warned of a ‘pollen bomb’, as levels soar across much of the country.

Yesterday was the hottest April 7 on record but today is set to feel even warmer, particularly in parts of central and south-eastern England where temperatures could reach 26C

Sunbathers enjoy the hot weather yesterday on Brighton beach, where temperatures reached 22C

The warm weather was good news for this ice cream van at the foot of Tower Bridge

Londoners also flocked to St James’s Park, with sunseekers taking the opportunity to soak up some rays

The warm  

For some, the warmth is particularly well-timed as it coincides with school Easter holidays, and families accordingly flocked to the beach to enjoy the sunshine.

Brighton and Hove City Council leader Bella Sankey said: ‘There really is no place like Brighton when the sun is shining and we’re definitely seeing people keen to take advantage of the sunshine today – not just on the beach itself, but also visiting our brilliant seafront cafes and bars, or enjoying a walk along the prom.

‘Our new seafront park in Hove has been incredibly busy as well, with families making the most of the school holidays at our skatepark.

‘We’re officially the sunniest city in England and we know how to have fun when the sun it out.’

A spokesperson for Weymouth Town Council said: ‘It’s been wonderful to see so many people choosing to enjoy the sun on Weymouth beach and we’re looking forward to welcoming more visitors to our town, so they can enjoy all the fun our resort has to offer.

‘Roll on summer!’

A spokesperson for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council said: ‘It’s great to see people enjoying BCP’s beautiful beaches in the warm weather, and we want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable visit.

People picnic and enjoy the warm sunshine at Potters Fields Park during lunchtime

Pedalos were a popular choice on The Serpentine lake in Hyde Park on Tuesday

‘With seafront facilities fully open, visitors can look forward to land trains, cafes and attractions across the promenade, offering plenty to enjoy for families, day trippers and holidaymakers.

‘We urge anyone considering a swim to follow the RNLI’s water safety advice, and remind beachgoers that disposable BBQs are only permitted on the beach between 6pm and 10.30pm.’

Webcams also showed crowds sunbathing at Lyme Regis beach in Dorset.

Met Office chief forecaster Paul Gundersen said: ‘We’re seeing a brief but notable spell of very warm weather for early April, with temperatures more typically associated with late spring or early summer.

‘This could be the warmest spell at this point in April since 2020, a year many will remember because of the Covid-19 lockdown.

‘However, this warmth will be short-lived, with a marked drop in temperatures and more unsettled conditions developing later this week.

‘In some areas, daytime temperatures could fall by around 10C between Wednesday and Thursday.’

The forecasting service warned of a ‘big change’ on Thursday when temperatures are expected to drop to between 10C and 13C.

‘It’s all purely down to wind direction at this time of year,’ a spokesperson said.

‘For the next couple of days we’re dragging in that warm, southerly wind, which will allow us to see temperatures reach the mid-20s.

‘As we go into Thursday, we’ll see temperatures return to normal for the time of year as we see the weather turn more changeable with advances of rain and showers.’

Temperatures are forecast to hover around 10C in the north and 14C in the south over the weekend.

The warmer spell comes in the wake of Storm Dave, which caused widespread damage and disruption over the Easter weekend as 70mph winds battered parts of northern England, Scotland and Wales. 

Picture this. You open your eyes in a cosy bedroom that feels like a ship’s cabin, slowly waking to the gentle sound of a flowing river and the scent of freshly baked bread. The only place you have to be today? The spa.

If this sounds like what you need, read on. 

Metro has teamed up with a top-rated Welsh hotel to give one lucky reader (and a companion) a chance to win a restorative escape in the heart of the British countryside.  

We’re giving away a two-night B&B stay at Albion Aberteifi in Cardigan, voted best hotel in Wales by the Times & Sunday Times in 2023.

You’ll also get cocktails for two at the hotel bar and a two-hour Nature Spa experience at fforest Farm (Welsh spelling, not typo), a short drive or a walk through a nature reserve. 

For your chance to win this gorgeous spring getaway, enter your details into the form below before midnight on Sunday, April 19.

And don’t forget to sign up to The Getaway Expert, our seven-day guide to becoming a more confident traveller.

Housed in an old shipping warehouse, Albion Aberteifi is inspired by the rich maritime heritage of Cardigan, the charming town that sits at the mouth of the River Teifi as it flows into Cardigan Bay in West Wales.

The hotel is full of quirks that tell the story of its seafaring history, from its salvaged timber furniture, 19th-Century graffiti and wrought iron frame that protects the Grade II-listed building’s original masonry, to its ghostly residents, said to be from the brig Albion which set sail for Canada from Cardigan in 1819.  

But you won’t be disturbed by any bumps in the night, snuggled up in your cosy double bedroom. Each en-suite, wood-lined cabin boasts a stunning river view, Welsh wool blankets, handmade furniture and a super comfortable king-sized bed for a restful stay. 

Guests have raved about the ‘fabulous hotel’, praising in particular the ‘thoughtful attention to detail’ in everything, down to the complimentary Aesop toiletries in the bathroom.

The breakfast is unique: they serve up a Scandi-style feast, with a buffet of delights including sourdough, smoked salmon and charcuterie to graze on.

In the evening, head to the Albion’s bar for delicious handcrafted cocktails for two.

Up close and personal with nature

It’s the perfect place to take respite from everyday life. Recent guests have used their time at the hotel to complete a novel, take on the local famous coast path walks, birdwatch in the local nature reserve, or to learn traditional Welsh weaving at local craft workshops.

Just a ramble away on the other side of the Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve is fforest Farm, a trendy hybrid of Welsh farm and Japanese forest retreat, where you can get up close and personal with nature.

Last year, they opened The Nature Spa, a woodland oasis where you’ll find everything you need for R&R, including individual cedar saunas, wood-fired hot tubs and cold plunge barrels.

There’s also a tranquil spa lounge area, where you can curl up by the fire in the cosy lodge or relax on the sunlit terrace, along with complimentary herbal tea, showers and locker access.

For the more adventurous, wild swimming in the river Teifi or the hidden coves of the nearby West Wales coast is encouraged.

The area is the gateway to famous clifftop walks along the Ceredigion Coast Path, where you’ll find spectacular views over sandy bays, rugged rock formations and woodland gorges. 

An artisan haven

Back in Cardigan, or Aberteifi as it’s called in Welsh, you’ll find one of the coolest up-and-coming towns in West Wales. 

Once an old-fashioned merchant town, its colourful streets are now a haven for creatives and artisans, with galleries, theatres and cinemas.  

Discover the fascinating history of the region at the recently renovated 900-year-old Cardigan Castle, peruse traditional Welsh crafts and artsy modern pieces in the local boutiques and market stalls, and pop into one of their gorgeous cafes for specialty coffees and indulgent handmade bakes. In the evening, head to the Castle Inn for a cosy pint of locally brewed beer and pizza.  

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When Scott Mills was asked about the early days of his love story with now-husband Sam Vaughan,⁠ he likened it to the nation’s favourite BBC sitcom, Gavin and Stacey.

Sam, who worked as an executive at Nation Radio, is from Bridgend in Wales. The pair met in 2016 at a radio industry event in Wales and Scott later gushed: ’The moment I met Sam, everything just went blurry. It felt different than before.’

Almost instantly, the presenter was getting the train up to Cardiff every other week to see him and Sam, earning significantly less than his new lover, would get the bus down.

Fans of the BBC sitcom will no doubt appreciate the similarities drawn between Scott and Sam and the beloved on-screen couple, Essex lad Gavin and Barry-born Stacey.

But, in the wake of the news about his shock axing from the BBC last Friday, I can reveal the truth of what really happened in the early days of their relationship ⁠– a story that James Corden and Ruth Jones would never dream of writing into their cosy sitcom.

Indeed, their ’movie romance’ started off rather more messily than the pair would like to admit.

Radio insiders have told me Scott, then 44, was introduced to Sam, who is 16 years his junior and was then 28 years old, by his close friend, a director at Nation Radio.

A source close to the men told me: ’It was all a bit murky – as in, it was a love triangle but they were also all thick as thieves.

Scott Mills likened the early days of his love story with now-husband Sam Vaughan to the nation’s favourite BBC sitcom, Gavin and Stacey

Around the time he met his future husband, Scott was under investigation by the Metropolitan Police for serious sexual offences against a boy under the age of 16

’Scott was dating his friend at the time, who introduced him to Sam, and there was a well-known crossover: Scott only had eyes for Sam and ditched his then-flavour of the month.

’Everyone thought it was such a boys’ club in that group, but they were also all sleeping with each other. It was really odd, in my opinion.’

It emerged on Tuesday that around the time he and Sam met, Scott was under investigation by the Metropolitan Police for serious sexual offences against a boy under the age of 16.

A year later, he would be questioned by the police over the allegations but was cleared in 2019 by the Crown Prosecution Service for lack of sufficient evidence.

It is unclear what Sam knew about the investigation into his future husband and the producer has yet to break his silence.

Though, behind the scenes, his career was under pressure during the 2017 probe, Scott’s relationship with his new love interest was blossoming.

’The more time we spent together, the more I could see we were right for each other. I just needed him to see that too,’ Scott revealed to The Times in a joint interview with Sam.

But when the Strictly podcast host asked to take the relationship further, he was rebuffed by Sam, who had a ’wobble’, and they split for six months.

’I was gutted,’ Scott admitted and recounted how he had cried on the sofa eating ice cream until the Welsh radio host decided he wanted to make a go of things.

Three months before the Covid pandemic, the pair moved in together and bought a five-bedroom, £1.4million new-build property in Hertfordshire, where they still live with their cavapoo, Ted.

After four years of dating, while on a wintry weekend away in a shepherd’s hut, Scott got down on one knee in a surprise proposal.

Three years later, the pair were wed in a Mediterranean villa on the coast near Barcelona, cheered on by their pals Rylan Clark, Zoe Ball, Vick Hope and her husband Calvin Harris.

The couple took part in BBC’s Celebrity Race Across the World in 2024, two months before they were set to wed

Whenever he is asked about their six-month break back in 2017, Scott says that Sam just ’wasn’t ready to commit’.

But viewers got a glimpse of what really went on behind closed doors when the couple took part in BBC’s Celebrity Race Across the World in 2024, two months before they were set to wed.

Riding the Serra Verde Express train through the lush Brazilian countryside, the couple were asked by producers to discuss their relationship.

Smiling across at his husband, Scott said: ’Bet you didn’t think you would be doing this with me seven years ago.’

He then pressed: ’I couldn’t get you to go anywhere with me for a while.

’You weren’t keen on me at the start, were you?’

Sam shot back in an awkward tone: ’I wouldn’t say not keen, it went a bit quick, too fast, too quick. So I just had to put the brakes on a little bit.

’Scott asked me, Do you just want to be friends? I had to be honest and say, I think I do at the moment. And Scott rightfully at that time said, I can’t do this.

’And there was about six to seven months where he didn’t talk to me.’

Tapping his partner on the shoulder, Scott rounded off the scene by quipping, ’All worked out though, didn’t it?’

But what is now abundantly clear is how Scott has tried to paint a picture of marital bliss for his fans.

He used his column with the i newspaper in May to do just that.

Scott wrote: ’Sam irons, Scott gets car cleaned, big shop, Sam makes food, Scott walks Teddy. That’s it. That’s the life I want. It’s ordinary. It’s ours. And I love it.

’It’s not perfect – he’s not perfect and neither am I. I can be grumpy and snappy, and I struggle to switch off from work.

’With the new breakfast show, we’ve had to adjust. We had a conversation early on about how life-changing this job [his BBC Radio 2 slot] would be. He just said, I’m so proud of you ⁠– and it’ll all be OK.’

After they won Celebrity Race Across the World, Scott declared it was ’the ultimate test to our relationship’.

It’s safe to say the past week has perhaps been a bigger test than that.

By NOOR QURASHI, NEWS REPORTER

Published: 09:58 EDT, 1 April 2026 | Updated: 12:58 EDT, 1 April 2026

Kemi Badenoch has launched a £112.5million National Pothole Patrol plan – as she claims Britain’s roads have reached ‘breaking point’ under Labour.

The Conservative opposition leader was pictured smoothing out the edges today in the West Midlands as part of her campaign trail for the local elections.

According to the Tories, the scheme – incorporating hundreds of modern, specialist road-repair machines – would be financed through savings made in the party’s £47bn savings plan.

It comes just months after the President of the AA, Edmund King, said the UK was ‘nowhere close to getting out of this rut’.

The project would also introduce a single national reporting platform – ending the current ‘patchwork approach’.

Ms Badenoch said: ‘Labour are waging a war on drivers with the first hike in fuel duty in 15 years and their inaction on potholes.’

Richard Holden MP, Shadow Transport Secretary, added: ‘Drivers are in despair as roads across the country crumble.

‘Labour have lumped cost after cost onto drivers – the fuel duty rise, pay per mile, or new parking taxes – yet people see no improvement in the roads they rely on every day.’

The Conservative opposition leader was pictured smoothing out the roads today in the West Midlands as part of her campaign trail for the local elections

Kemi Badenoch waves from the driving seat of a construction vehicle during a visit to Knowle football club in the West Midlands

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch (centre), and shadow transport secretary Richard Holden (right) are pictured

The Labour Party told the Daily Mail the government is delivering its ‘biggest-ever investment in road maintenance’.

A spokesman insisted road maintenance had not been given the ‘funding needed’ under the Conservatives.

The estimated cost to repair roads in England and Wales has increased 46 per cent in a decade, rising from £11.5bn in 2016 to almost £17bn in 2025, according to the Asphalt Industry Alliance (AIA), the industry body that oversees road surfacing.

Last month the AIA said an estimated £18.6billion would be required to fix all the potholes on local roads in England and Wales.

The group found that just 51 per cent of the local road network maintained by local councils were reported by those authorities as being in good condition.

Chairman David Giles said: ‘I think all road users would agree that the condition of our local roads has become a national disgrace.’

Highway maintenance budgets in England and Wales for 2025-26 increased by around 17 per cent to an average £30.5million per town hall after Labour gave them a £1.6bn funding boost.

But town halls say more than this was needed for them to maintain the local roads network to their target conditions.

According to the Tories, the scheme – incorporating hundreds of modern, specialist road-repair machines – would be financed through savings made in the party’s £47bn savings plan

The backlog of potholes has grown so large across England and Wales that it would cost nearly £19bn to fix them all, the Asphalt Industry Alliance says

AIA chairman David Giles told the Daily Mail drivers’ anger amid rocketing pump prices and motoring taxes was also reaching breaking point.

He said: ‘We’ve got workers who were attacked every day either verbally or even physically. People who are actually out there repairing the roads get shouted at, spat at and even hit.’

Mr Giles said drivers had ‘a right’ to expect smooth and well-maintained roads because they were a ‘national service’ and town halls had a legal duty to ensure they were safe to travel on.

But he added Britain had ‘heavily trafficked’ roads compared to other countries and that less than one per cent of the network’s asset value of £550billion was being spent by councils on maintaining them.

This ‘dramatic underspend’ over several years is less than half the two per cent recommendation of the OECD group of countries, he said, adding that cash-strapped councils tend to focus on ‘patching’ up roads by filling potholes rather than completely resurfacing roads as this is cheaper.

From quaint market towns to bustling cities, there are countless UK destinations perfect for a day trip or short break.

And thanks to the latest offer from coach operator, FlixBus, you’ll soon be able to explore the UK for the same price as a cup of coffee.

To celebrate it’s fifth birthday, the brand has slashed ticket prices to just £5 — with some even as low as £4.49.

Given that jet fuel prices have surged by 58.4% in the last two weeks — reaching their highest level in four years — there’s no better time to consider a staycation.

Until April 30, promotional £5 tickets are available for travel between April 13 and June 30 2026, with a range of more than 100 destinations across England, Scotland and Wales to choose from.

And as of April 1, FlixBus will launch in five new cities: Doncaster, Blackpool, Halifax, Huddersfield and Milton Keynes.

For Midlanders, if you’re in Leicester or Nottingham you’ll also be able to catch a Flixbus to Plymouth and Bristol for the first time.

There will be improved airport connectivity too, as a daily service from Heathrow Airport into London and Brighton will be added.

Gatwick Airport will also get a route to both Leeds and Sheffield, and there will be new connections from Manchester Airport to Newcastle, Sunderland, Middlesbrough, Leeds, Huddersfield and Bradford.

There will also be new routes between Bristol Airport and Plymouth, Taunton, Cheltenham and Exeter.

Need some inspiration? Head to the UK’s best place to live for 2026

Flixbus are improving connectivity in Norwich, with new services to Heathrow, Birmingham and Plymouth.

The routes come just as the capital of Norfolk has been named as the best place to live in the UK, topping The Sunday Times list for 2026.

Metro’s expert food writer, Courtney Pochin, hails from the area, and spent 24 years living in and around Norwich.

She attests to the fact that the city is a ‘pretty spectacular’ place, urging visitors to head to it’s ‘stunning cathedral’, soak up the culture at one of it’s many, many festivals, and experience it’s ‘extraordinary food scene’.

For more tips, read Courtney’s local’s guide to Norwich here

And as of May, you can get your hands on £5 tickets for Flixbus routes to Colchester, Chelmsford and Ipswich.

Spring will also see more airport connections: from Birmingham Airport to London and Oxford, and Norwich to Heathrow.

Sarah Bartlett, PR lead for FlixBus UK said: ‘Five years ago, we set out with a bold ambition to revolutionise coach travel, and with a network of over 100 destinations, it’s clear passengers have fallen in love with FlixBus.

‘We’re offering tickets for less than a fiver to bring even more joy to travellers using our affordable, comfortable and reliable services.’

Do you have a story to share?

Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.

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Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored four tries against England

England fell agonisingly short of a famous victory in Paris as Thomas Ramos’ last-gasp penalty saw France snatch a stunning 48-46 victory to retain their Six Nations title.

Ramos nailed a long-range penalty with the clock in the red to settle a 13-try thriller which England looked to have won when Tommy Freeman crossed with four minutes remaining.

More to follow…

This is a breaking news story that is being updated and more details will be published shortly. Please refresh this page for the latest updates.

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Greg James broke down in tears on day two of his 1000km Comic Relief cycle as he thought about his beloved dad as he recovers from a stroke. 

The Radio 1 Breakfast DJ, 40, is cycling solo for Comic Relief, taking off from Weymouth in Dorset and cycling all the way to Edinburgh.

Just one week before he was due to start his mammoth challenge, Greg’s father Alan suffered a stroke during a planned heart operation.

And as he completed day two of his cycle, Greg shared that he became emotional as he neared the finish line as he thought about his beloved father ‘big Al’.

He said: ‘I feel elated. I feel a bit overwhelmed by all these people who just turned up out of nowhere. I just burst into tears as I was going up to Blaenavon. It was all a bit much. And then I think Sam and Danny were playing Aperture, and it just got a bit much for me. 

‘Just thought about… I just thought about everything. Just thought about my dad, thought about my mum. It got way too much. It’s so silly. It must have been the altitude.’

Greg James broke down in tears on day two of his 1000km Comic Relief cycle as he thought about his beloved dad as he recovers from a stroke

The Radio 1 Breakfast DJ, 40, is cycling solo for Comic Relief , taking off from Weymouth in Dorset and cycling all the way to Edinburgh

He continued: ‘And then someone gave me a Wales flag and I was holding that and I thought about my old nan, and she’s Welsh. And then I just thought about everything and then everything just made me cry, and I just felt really overwhelmed by it all. 

‘But the day is done, and I actually can’t believe I’ve managed to get to Abergavenny.’

Greg was seen again getting emotional as he gave his auntie a hug at the day’s finish line.  

Last Friday, Greg cancelled his show to be with his family after his father suffered a stroke during a planned heart operation.

He then returned to work on Monday, confirming his father, ‘big Al’, is doing okay and is ‘still with us.’

He said: ‘Thank you to Sam and Danni for Friday, as there was a slight mishap with my dad. My dad’s not very well at the minute’.

‘I know that he would want me to get back on the show. And he’s still with us, which is good!’

And Greg said his father is ‘fighting hard’ and would be taking ‘small steps’ on the road back to recovery.

Previously talking about the challenge on his show, Greg said: ‘Here’s a video which is more serious than I like to be on here, but I just wanted to update you on what’s [been] going on the last few days of my life.

Just one week before he was due to start his mammoth challenge, Greg’s father Alan suffered a stroke during a planned heart operation 

As he completed day two of his cycle, Greg shared that he became emotional as he neared the finish line as he thought about his beloved father ‘big Al’

Greg was seen again getting emotional as he gave his auntie a hug at the day’s finish line

‘I’ve had a terrible time. My dad’s not very well. Not very well at all. And it’s horrible.

‘You might have heard Sam and Danni talk about this on the Breakfast Show on Friday, because I wasn’t there. They were very lovely about it; they told lots of you, and thank you for sending me a message if you did. It’s massively appreciated.’

He said: ‘In times like these, it’s so nice to feel the love from people.’  

Greg added: ‘And for those that don’t know what’s happened to my dad, I’m sorry that you’re finding out on my wildly popular social media channels.

‘He was supposed to go, well, he did go in for heart surgery on Thursday, and I was on the Breakfast Show on Thursday because I thought, “That’s a good distraction”.

‘I’m always banging on about how great radio is at distracting you from your life and things going to s**t. It’s good for listeners, and it’s good for the people doing it as well. So, I was happy on Thursday. I thought, “That’s the best place for me”. I love doing that.

‘And then on Thursday night, we found out that, sadly, the operation didn’t go to plan, and he had a stroke. Which is really s**t.’

‘I just burst into tears as I was going up to Blaenavon. It was all a bit much,’ Greg said of his feelings during the cycle 

Greg said he went to visit his father in the ICU over the weekend. 

He thanked the NHS for looking after his father and said: ‘Particularly the handsome doctor that he’s having by his bedside. 

‘That’s one of the mad things, isn’t it, about your brain and about humans and about life, is that sometimes the best thing is to be in a WhatsApp group where you’re just talking about how fit the doctor is. And that’s really helped.’

He joked: ‘Hope he doesn’t see this, because then it’s gonna be awkward when I next go in.’

At the time, Greg said that despite everything that’s going on, he was still pressing ahead with his Red Nose Day challenge. 

Wales snap 15-game losing streak in Six Nations with bonus-point win over Italy in Cardiff; Aaron Wainwright scores two tries with captain Dewi Lake and fly-half Dan Edwards also dotting down; it is Wales’ first home win in Six Nations since beating Scotland in February 2022

Aaron Wainwright scored two first-half tries

Wales emphatically ended their three-year wait for a Six Nations win with a 31-17 crushing of Italy in Cardiff.

Steve Tandy’s side have shown marked improvement since their shambolic loss to England in round one and were finally rewarded with a win as Aaron Wainwright’s first-half double put them on course for a much-needed victory, their first in the tournament since March 2023 to snap a 15-game Six Nations losing streak.

It will not prevent a third successive wooden spoon unless England fall to a record loss in Paris, but it at least gives some reasons for optimism during uncertain times in Welsh rugby.

No 8 Wainwright crossed twice in 11 minutes during a man-of-the-match display, with captain Dewi Lake also dotting down on the half-hour to give Wales a 21-0 lead at the interval.

The Wales players celebrate Dewi Lake’s try

Fly-half Dan Edwards bagged the bonus-point try, while also adding 11 points with the boot, with replacements Luigi Di Bartolomeo and Tommaso Allan and fly-half Paolo Garbisi responding for the outclassed Italians.

Italy were a shadow of the side that claimed a historic win over England. They employed a kick-heavy gameplan and did edge their hosts in the air on occasion, but it was a frustrating afternoon for their talented backline which was spent mostly on the back foot.

An early Tommaso Menoncello break from inside his own half proved a false dawn, with Garbisi squandering the chance to open the scoring as he dragged a penalty across the posts. Things went steadily downhill from there.

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Wales went in front on 15 minutes through Wainwright, who ran over Giacomo Nicotera on his way to the tryline, and he forced his way over for a second after the hosts mauled to within a metre of the whitewash.

Another catch and drive on 30 minutes resulted in a try for captain Lake, Edwards converting all three during a dream first period.

Dan Edwards scores Wales’ bonus-point try

Edwards crossed for the bonus-point try after the restart, dummying his way over on penalty advantage, and he tagged on a drop-goal to make it 31-0 after 48 minutes.

Luigi Di Bartolomeo touched down from a driving maul to get Italy on the scoreboard, with replacement prop Archie Griffin yellow-carded for his cynical attempts to take it to ground, but they failed to further reduce the deficit during the 10-minute sin-bin period.

Fellow replacement Allan scored their second, moments after butchering a chance down the right wing, while the TMO ruled out late efforts from Monty Ioane and Leonardo Marin.

Garbisi did dive over in the corner on the final play but Wales supporters were already basking in a first home Six Nations win since February 2022.