Loose Women anchor Andrea McLean, who turns 50 in October, has run the Vitality London 10k in her underwear to promote body confidence.
Revealing it was her “first ever race”, Andrea told her Instagram followers that she had gone from “a standing start in January to running in front of millions of people on TV, press and in person in my underwear”.
She added that she did it “to promote something I feel really strongly about – feeling strong and comfortable in your own skin.”
Revealing that it was “an incredible day”, Andrea ran alongside the likes of Giovanni Fletcher, who is married to McFly’s Tom Fletcher, and Jada Sezer, who is rumoured to be joining this year’s Love Island later on during the series.
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The TV presenter also opened up about the motivation behind the run. She said: “In my approach to my 50th birthday I’ve spoken about saying yes to things that make me feel uncomfortable, that push me way beyond my comfort zone. And every time I have said yes the rewards have been out of this world.”
She added: “I defy any woman to feel confident in their own skin at that moment when they strip down from their leggings and T-shirt and walk towards a start line surrounded by other runners who look way more confident than they feel, to not feel intimidated. I did.”
She continued: “I knew that there would be photographers poised and waiting to take a picture of a TV presenter running with her cellulite out to the world!”
Admitting that she’d posted her favourite shots to Instagram, Andrea pleaded with her followers not to “jump in snarling” at the shots.
She said: “I’ve chosen pictures here that I like, because why the hell not? They sum up the joy I felt today, running alongside some incredible women who I got to know whilst jogging, at out pace, through the streets of London in front of everyone. Wouldn’t you choose pictures that made you feel happy too?”
She said her “favourite is the one with my arms in the air”, adding that it was “because we had 100m to go til the finish line and I had just spotted the love of my life, my wingman and biggest cheerleader in the crowd @lordfeeney”, referring to her husband Nick Feeney.
The loved-up pair tied the knot in December 2017.
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Andrea also bumped into “Olympic legend” Jessica Ennis-Hill and thanked her for “saying hello to a sweaty pushing 50-year-old woman”.
The Loose Women star’s co-presenters were also quick to offer their congratulations, with Nadia Sawalha commenting: “Well done you.”
Saira Khan also added: “Well done Andrea.”
After all her hard work, Andrea treated herself to dinner and a glass of wine. Taking to her Instagram Stories, she revealed: “Post run nom nom with wine… well you have to rehydrate yourself.”
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