Emma Willis insists she would 'rather freeze than cope with midges' as she takes on Comic Relief challenge

dailyrecord.co.uk:

Emma Willis may be in one of the most inhospitable places in the UK but she is glad she is not dealing with midges and that she’s stocked up on Tunnock’s Caramel Wafers.The 46-year-old presenter, along with Rylan Clark and Oti Mabuse, started their Red Nose Day Challenge on Wednesday – climbing to the summit of Cairn Gorm, the sixth-highest mountain in the UK.

The mum of three laughed: “I had a friend who was up here in the summer and she said the midges were an absolute nightmare so I’m really happy I don’t have those. “I’m not sure how I feel about the cold and the rain.

But at least I have a box of Tunnock’s to see me through.”Midges aside, the challenge is no walk in the park.Rough terrain, snow, biting wind and having to climb 1245m (4085ft) up Cairn Gorm is tough at the best of times – let alone during a Scottish winter with overnight temperatures as low as -6C.It will take the three friends three days and two nights from yesterday’s start in the foothills to reaching the summit before walking down again.Last night, they camped at the Mar Estate and all being well they will finish tomorrow.The Voice UK host said: “I’ve got to admit when I first heard about it I thought, ‘That would be amazing – but will it be hard enough?’“I got here and yes, it’s going to be hard enough.

It’s a real challenge.”Before they started the challenge in Braemar on Wednesday, the trio got acclimatised by training at the Cairngorm Mountain ski area, near Aviemore, using the funicular railway to reach 1065m and learn what they’ll be facing.Emma said: “They got us to pitch our tents and get to know our equipment.“Thankfully, tents are quite simple these days.