Dan Walker has revealed his devastation after discovering he will no longer be able to attend a huge event later this month. The 41-year-old journalist was due to make an appearance at Tony Foulds’s fly-past on February 22, but the occasion clashes with his climb up Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief. The fly-past is set to take place at Endcliffe Park in Sheffield, where a US bomber came down in 1944, killing all 10 airmen on board. Sharing the “unfortunate” news with his 56,3000 Instagram followers, the BBC Breakfast host told fans he is “gutted” he will miss the memorial.
“It’s great to be climbing Kilimanjaro for @comicrelief but I’m truly gutted that it clashes with Tony’s fly-past on Feb 22nd,” his lengthy post began.
“The climb has been in the pipeline for a while and I’m excited about the challenge but the timing is really unfortunate.”
Dan also mentioned Tony, who has tended to the memorial in Endcliffe Park since witnessing the fatal plane crash at the age of eight.
“Tony is an amazing man and I am so pleased that I’ve been able to help him honour the 10 US airmen he has spent most of his life remembering,” the broadcaster penned.
“It’s great that we’ve sorted the steps and the fly-past, and I’ll continue to support and organise things before I leave for Kilimanjaro.”
He went on to confirm BBC Breakfast will broadcast the fly-past on the day of the event and encouraged people to attend the memorial.
“I have told Tony about the climb and he is just so thankful and amazed at the interest in his story,” the father-of-three added.
“He is now best mates with the US Ambassador and still can’t believe there will be a fly-past. @sheffieldcitycouncil have also worked wonders and are helping us put on the event.”
Regrettably, he continued: “I have poured so much into this story and am gutted that I can’t be there.
“My family and loads of my friends will be in the park and I’ll be watching on television like many others, thinking of Tony and those 10 US airmen men who lost their lives on Feb 22nd 1944.”
His message was greatly received by fans, many of whom praised Dan for bringing the story to light and commended Tony.
One person wrote: “You will be there in spirit Dan, you’re a good soul, Dan. What you have done to help Tony is incredible.”
A second person gushed: “You did a fantastic job highlighting Tony’s amazing story. I’m sure he will get a huge turnout.”
Meanwhile, a third commented: “Your such a beautiful person @mrdanwalker am sure Tony understands and don’t forget if it wasn’t for you all this wouldn’t have happened. Good luck with the climb.”
BBC Breakfast airs weekdays on BBC One at 6am.
The fly-past will be air on BBC Breakfast on February 22 between 8.15 – 9.15am.