Last night, viewers of the new Channel 4 series Don’t Look Down for Stand Up To Cancer (SU2C) saw Paddy McGuinness make a surprise exit from the show.

The 50-year-old was recently announced as one of the brave celebrities taking part in one of TV’s “scariest” challenge shows.

He joined the line-up alongside the likes of Corrie favourite Beverley Callard, Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt and Love Island’s Chris Hughes.

The former Take Me Out presenter shares three children, Penelope and Leo, 10, and Felicity, seven, with his ex-wife Christine McGuinness – the couple split after 11 years of marriage in 2022.

Paddy McGuinness exits Don’t Look Down for SU2C due to family reasons

However, on Tuesday’s episode (October 24), Paddy revealed he would be leaving the Austrian camp due to family reasons.

Before he left, he told the group of contestants: “Unfortunately today I’ve got to go home and I might not be back for at least a week. Co-parenting… We’ve no one at all to help us with the kids.”

He added: “With our children, they need me or Christine there or people who are in our support network. I’ll have a hell of a lot of catching up to do when I get back.

“I’m gutted because the guys will be 10 metres up in the air and it will feel like starting again but there’s just nothing I can do about it.”

Speaking about the team whom he has been chosen to lead on Don’t Look Down for SU2C, Paddy previously said: “This team is outstanding.

“Everyone has come together and is giving their all at our training camp in the Austrian Alps.

“I’m not sure if we’re quite ready to tackle the high wire, but we’re definitely going to give it our best shot.”

They have all been affected by cancer in some way and are hoping to raise a substantial sum for SU2C.

What is Don’t Look Down for Stand Up To Cancer about?

The celebrities took part in a summer training camp in the Austrian Alps, tutored by the world’s foremost experts in high wire walking.

They were coached to conquer their fears as they faced a series of physically and mentally demanding training exercises and tasks designed to transform them from total beginners to those capable of scaling the heights.

Channel 4 commented: “It’s an emotional journey as they attempt to overcome their individual anxieties whilst reflecting on the impact cancer has had on their lives.”

Who are the contestants for Channel 4’s Don’t Look Down for SU2C?

  • Presenter Paddy McGuinness
  • Coronation Street favourite Beverley Callard
  • Footballer Anton Ferdinand
  • Pussycat Doll Kimberly Wyatt
  • Sports presenter and Love Island finalist Chris Hughes
  • French football icon David Ginola
  • Adventurer and motoring expert Charley Boorman
  • TikTok star GK Barry
  • Content creator and comedian Fats Timbo
  • Olympic champion cyclist Victoria Pendleton

You can watch Don’t Look Down for SU2C on Channel 4 and catch up on all episodes by streaming online.