Joe Wicks gets emotional during final virtual PE lesson as he raises £580,000 for NHS

The fitness guru has been helping kids stay healthy during lockdown
The Weekender

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After hosting 70 workout videos, fitness guru Joe Wicks' virtual PE lessons have come to an end.

The Body Coach not only inspired reams of school kids and their parents to stay active and healthy while schools across the UK were shut, he also raised an impressive £580,000 for the NHS.

In his last ever session, Wicks admitted "I'm really emotional", and told fans wife Rosie was also tearing up.

He began with a message to those who have supported him throughout the virtual fitness lessons, before thanking the mother of his two adorable children, Indie and Marley - who also featured in many of the live streams.

The last session of PE with Joe Wicks

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"We're here today to do a final family workout", he went on, picking up his son Marley while Indie wandered in and out of frame, before also thanking his brother Nikki.

After completing his final session in his living room, decked out with balloons and bunting, Wicks said he will “be back” later in the year.

The fitness coach’s family joined the last session, watched by more than 100,000 people on YouTube.

“It’s a sad day but I’m so proud,” Wicks said. “We’re fitter and stronger. We’re healthier and happier.”

BBC / Comic Relief / Children In Need

After letting off party poppers, he said: “That’s the end of PE With Joe.

“Thank you so much for taking part. Thank you to everyone from the teaching assistants, parents, the fans, everyone that’s taken part. I’ve loved it so much and I’m going to miss you all.”

Wicks said he would “have a little break” but “will be doing more live work” later.

His voice appearing to crack with emotion, he added: “I don’t know what to say, I’m really emotional.”

After jumping off his mantelpiece, he signed off by asking fans to keep exercising.

“You feel quite low, your energy is not great. You come through the workout… you feel energised, happy, you’re positive, it makes you feel fit and strong and confident,” he said.

“Just because live workouts aren’t on, keep going. Every single workout we’ve ever done is on the channel. Go back and relive it.

“Keep training together as a family, you are each other’s role models. It’s all about mental health and you’re going to be living a healthier, happier life if you exercise together. So please keep it up.

“From me and the Wicks family, bye everybody.”

The workouts began 18 weeks ago for children stuck at home.

Wicks wrote on Instagram: “Never did I imagine families all over the world would come together to take part. 80 million views is hard to comprehend but this truly is my proudest achievement.”

Jones said she was “looking forward to having my husband back in the mornings”.

But when Wicks said Jones was crying with emotion because of the final session, she said: “That’s sweat!”

Additional reporting by Press Association.

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