Paddy McGuinness reportedly took legal action against a gossip site for claiming it had a charity bike stop at a Michelin-starred restaurant.

The 51-year-old actor raised £9 million for children in need through its 300 mile Ultra Endurance Cycle Challenge from Wrexham to Glasgow between Monday November 11 and Friday November 15.

But his festivities, which were also joined by his ex-wife Christine, were somewhat overshadowed after gossip site Popb***h accused him of taking a helicopter to the dining establishment The Anvil, in the village of Cartmel, Cumbria.

The sneaky escapade at the three Michelin star restaurant happened during a break from his stay in Preston in Lancashireaccording to the weekly bulletin.

The site – whose slogan is “Slanderous gossip”. Scandalous Stories” – further claimed he was “spotted spending the night,” according to the mail.

Sources close to the Radio 2 presenter told the Mail that he had asked his lawyer (from the London-based law firm Carter-Ruck) on Thursday evening to take action against the notorious celebrity gossip site.

“The story is completely false, at no point did Paddy leave the challenge or the team. They were together every second,” the source told the newspaper.

The source continued: “Most evenings Paddy would have physio to get him ready for the next day, followed by an early night due to waking up at 6am.”

Counties covered by McGuinness included Flintshire, Cheshire, MerseysideLancashire, Westmorland, Cumberland, Dumfriesshire and Lanarkshire.

McGuinness was beaming as she approached the finish line and praised the atmosphere after finishing her race.

He said at the time: “I honestly can’t believe it. I came out of East Kilbride. I was looking at Glasgow, and it was lit by the sun. Then I got here and the streets were lined.

“I had Sir Tom Hunter by my side and I came around the corner. What a spectacle, what a feeling! Thank you very much everyone.

“Honestly, this is a moment I will take with me to my grave. I will never forget it. It’s been incredible.

Businessman Sir Tom added: “I absolutely believe the great British public have taken Paddy and the challenge to heart. I want to tell you, Paddy, here and now – an official national treasure.

On Radio 2, McGuinness especially thanked listeners for their contribution to the whole and for his experience.

“What we have accomplished – by ‘we’, I mean all of you – over the last five days is nothing short of astonishing. I still can’t understand what happened and what is still happening today.

“This is the power of Radio 2 and of you, our wonderful listeners and the wonderful British public.”

Today, Paddy’s story and test of physical endurance has been featured in an hour-long BBC documentary, called Paddy: The Ride of My Life, as part of the channel’s Children In Need content .

Metro has contacted representatives for Paddy McGuinness and Popb***h for comment.

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