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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Ronan Keating leads team in Holyhead to Dublin swim | Ronan Keating leads team in Holyhead to Dublin swim |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A team of celebrities has begun a gruelling charity swim across the Irish Sea from Holyhead in Anglesey. | A team of celebrities has begun a gruelling charity swim across the Irish Sea from Holyhead in Anglesey. |
| Boyzone singer Ronan Keating, Olympic medallist swimmer Steve Parry and Atomic Kitten singer Jenny Frost are among those taking part in the 56-mile swim for Cancer Research. | Boyzone singer Ronan Keating, Olympic medallist swimmer Steve Parry and Atomic Kitten singer Jenny Frost are among those taking part in the 56-mile swim for Cancer Research. |
| The 11-strong team href="/news/uk-wales-14728379" title="In pictures: Irish Sea swim" >set off for Dublin at 2100 BST on Tuesday but the challenge could take 40 hours. | |
| Holyhead Coastguard says everything is going as planned. | Holyhead Coastguard says everything is going as planned. |
| At 0600 BST on Wednesday the team were 12 nautical miles south of Holyhead. | At 0600 BST on Wednesday the team were 12 nautical miles south of Holyhead. |
| Keating, who was the first to swim a stretch of the relay race, has been using Twitter to keep fans and supporters updated on his progress. | Keating, who was the first to swim a stretch of the relay race, has been using Twitter to keep fans and supporters updated on his progress. |
| At around midnight he wrote: "Time for a quick snooze before I'm back in the sea again for @JoinTheSwim." | At around midnight he wrote: "Time for a quick snooze before I'm back in the sea again for @JoinTheSwim." |
| 'Overwhelming' | 'Overwhelming' |
| He said the turnout of spectators at Holyhead had been "overwhelming". | He said the turnout of spectators at Holyhead had been "overwhelming". |
| The team's Facebook page said: "Temp about 15C, jellies a plenty and some pretty rough water." | The team's Facebook page said: "Temp about 15C, jellies a plenty and some pretty rough water." |
| Also taking part in the challenge, which aims to raise £1m for the cancer charity, is Strictly Come Dancing star Pamela Stephenson, gadget guru Jason Bradbury, and five "super swimmers". | Also taking part in the challenge, which aims to raise £1m for the cancer charity, is Strictly Come Dancing star Pamela Stephenson, gadget guru Jason Bradbury, and five "super swimmers". |
| On Monday, Sir Richard Branson pulled out of the swim after fire destroyed his Caribbean home. | On Monday, Sir Richard Branson pulled out of the swim after fire destroyed his Caribbean home. |
| The swimmers are likely to encounter treacherous currents, ferries and possibly even sharks during the challenge. | The swimmers are likely to encounter treacherous currents, ferries and possibly even sharks during the challenge. |
| The team, had been due to set off at lunchtime on Wednesday but favourable weather led organisers to bring the event forward by 15 hours. | The team, had been due to set off at lunchtime on Wednesday but favourable weather led organisers to bring the event forward by 15 hours. |
| 'Toughest challenge' | 'Toughest challenge' |
| Hundreds clapped and cheered at the little harbour at Holyhead Sailing Club as Keating, wearing a black wet suit, pink swimming cap and flippers, made the sign of the cross and took his first steps into the water. | Hundreds clapped and cheered at the little harbour at Holyhead Sailing Club as Keating, wearing a black wet suit, pink swimming cap and flippers, made the sign of the cross and took his first steps into the water. |
| The pop star had earlier waved to fans before he hugged wife, Yvonne, goodbye on the slipway and got some last minute advice from swim organiser Simon Murie. | The pop star had earlier waved to fans before he hugged wife, Yvonne, goodbye on the slipway and got some last minute advice from swim organiser Simon Murie. |
| Bradbury was due to start his first leg between 0100 and 0300 BST and said he would be keeping Twitter followers updated. | Bradbury was due to start his first leg between 0100 and 0300 BST and said he would be keeping Twitter followers updated. |
| Liverpool-born Parry, who won bronze at the Athens Olympics in 2004, said tackling the Irish Sea may be his toughest challenge to date. | Liverpool-born Parry, who won bronze at the Athens Olympics in 2004, said tackling the Irish Sea may be his toughest challenge to date. |
| Parry was diagnosed with testicular cancer 18 months ago, three weeks after getting married. | Parry was diagnosed with testicular cancer 18 months ago, three weeks after getting married. |
| Ahead of the swim, the 34-year-old said: "Swimming 56 miles across the Irish Sea seemed like a good idea at the time but now they've told us we're going in a few hours, the size of the task ahead is just starting to dawn on me. | Ahead of the swim, the 34-year-old said: "Swimming 56 miles across the Irish Sea seemed like a good idea at the time but now they've told us we're going in a few hours, the size of the task ahead is just starting to dawn on me. |
| "It's cold, we'll be swimming in the dark, there are jelly fish and other creatures and it's a long way." | "It's cold, we'll be swimming in the dark, there are jelly fish and other creatures and it's a long way." |