BBC Look North mysteriously cancel Big Summit Sofa Challenge charity event

Presenters Harry Gration, Paul Hudson, Keeley Donovan and Amy Garcia were all due to take part in the Big Summit Sofa Challenge in aid of Sport Relief.

The team planned to push a big red sofa for 100 miles across Yorkshire, calling at schools and businesses along the way.

They last completed a similar sofa challenge in 2018, raising almost £200,000.

They were due to set off from Leeds today (March 6) with Harry, Paul and Amy pushing the sofa and Keeley, who is pregnant with her first child, part of the support team.

However, the BBC has now confirmed that the challenge has been postponed as Look North cannot afford to allow the presenters time away from the studio.

It was speculated that the decision was taken because of the coronavirus outbreak, which could lead to a higher workload for broadcasters if more cases are confirmed in Yorkshire.

A statement from BBC Look North read:-

"We’ve got some important news to share about our Big Summit Sofa Challenge. We’ve taken a difficult decision to postpone the event until later in the year.

"Our most important role right now is to deliver the best possible news coverage to you - and to do that we need every member of our team on duty.

"For the schools and businesses who have been preparing for our arrival and to those of you who were planning on greeting us when we headed your way, we are really sorry to disappoint you, but when we do get back on the road you will be the first to know."

Viewers criticised the ambiguity of the statement when Harry Gration and Amy Garcia announced the postponement on last night's programme, and pointed out that the presenters looked 'genuinely gutted' at the news.

All donations made so far will still be given to Sport Relief.