Paddy McGuinness is taking legal action against gossip website Popbitch after he claimed he stopped at a Michelin-starred restaurant during his 300-mile bike ride in aid of Children In Need.
Sources close to the BBC star told the Mail that he began proceedings on Thursday night after the weekly newsletter accused him of taking a helicopter to L’Enclume in the Cumbrian village of Cartmel after breaking up his journey in Preston. in Lancashire.
The website claims he was “spotted spending the night” in Cartmel before resuming his trip, which raised £9million for the charity, the following morning.
However, McGuinness, 51, denies the allegations and ordered his lawyer to confront Popbitch, known for publishing celebrity gossip.
“The story is completely and absolutely false, at no point did Paddy abandon the challenge or the team,” said a member of the former Top Gear presenter’s team.
‘They were together every second. Most nights Paddy would see the physiotherapist to prepare him for the next day, followed by going to bed early due to getting up at 6am.
A spokeswoman for McGuinness confirmed the legal action. It is understood he is using a lawyer from London-based Carter-Ruck, who also represents former Strictly contestant Amanda Abbington.
L’Enclume is considered the most luxurious restaurant in the country and offers a 15-course tasting menu for £250. For another £290 guests can enjoy a select wine pairing.
Paddy McGuinness (pictured) is taking legal action against Popbitch over claims he dined at a Michelin-starred restaurant during a Children In Need bike ride.
McGuinness (right) on his charity ride with Chris Hoy near Crawford in Abington, Scotland
The website claimed McGuinness had taken a helicopter to three-star L’Enclume (pictured) in Cartmel, Cumbria, during his 300-mile journey.
It is owned by award-winning British chef and restaurateur Simon Rogan, known as one of the pioneers of the farm-to-table movement in the UK. The place says much of its food comes from its own nearby farm. It also has bedrooms and suites for guests to spend the night.
McGuinness, who recently divorced his wife Christine, began his epic charity ride, dubbed Radio 2’s Ultra Endurance Cycle Challenge, from Wrexham AFC on November 11. Four days later he arrived in Glasgow in his Raleigh Chopper.
Speaking on Radio 2, the former Question of Sport presenter told his listeners: “What a week it’s been, I feel like I’ve been away for a month.”
‘What we have achieved – by ‘we’ I mean all of you – over the last five days is nothing short of amazing. I still can’t understand what has happened and what is still happening now.
‘That is the power of Radio 2 and you wonderful listeners and the wonderful great British public. The streets were lined for me from Wrexham to Glasgow, there were people incessantly supporting me, cheering me on and wishing me well.’
Referring to the physical effects of the challenge, he added: “The blisters on my butt are calming down.”
Popbitch, which started in 2000 and is run by founders Neil Stevenson and Camilla Wright, declined to comment last night.