The husband of a Strictly star is taking on a massive world record challenge starting from the Palace Pier.

Jordan Wyn-Jones, husband of Karen Hauer Wyn-Jones, is taking on a 30-day challenge where he will cover 1,700km from Brighton Palace Pier to George Square in Glasgow.

The 33-year-old wants to become the first person in the UK to walk and run from Brighton to Glasgow – and cycle all the way back.

The Argus: Jordan Wyn-Jones, left, in hospitalJordan Wyn-Jones, left, in hospital (Image: BHF)  

The challenge, starting today (May 31), is an attempt to raise £100,000 for the British Heart Foundation (BHF), after Jordan was diagnosed with a heart condition caused by a viral infection.  

Jordan, from Preston, was living in Australia when he contracted a viral infection in January 2019.

Thinking it was “just a chest infection”, Jordan went on to take part in a CrossFit competition just days later. 

He said: “I was feeling a little lethargic but nothing out of the ordinary. I found myself ahead in the competition. I remember starting on the ski-erg and looked over at my coach for encouragement. The next thing I remember is waking up in an ambulance.”  

At the age of 28, Jordan had a cardiac arrest.

He survived but was rushed to the cardiology centre in Sydney. It was there he was diagnosed with pericarditis - inflammation of the lining around the heart. 

The fitness professional spent around eight months in Sydney hospital. He worked with the cardiac team to treat his condition, reduce the inflammation and begin to build his fitness back up.  

The Argus: Jordan and KarenJordan and Karen (Image: BHF)

Jordan said: “It was a huge shock. It never crossed my mind that something could be wrong with my heart - I thought I had a chest infection. I was 28, super fit and pushing my body to its limits. My life took an absolute U-turn.  

“In the space of one day my life became hospital appointments, medication and tests. It took a huge toll on my mental health as well as my physical health and took me a long time to figure out.”  

After being on a journey with his own heart condition, Jordan wanted to take on a challenge and raise awareness for others.  

He said: “I feel so lucky to be here today. I’ve learnt so much about myself and my heart. Thanks to research part funded by the British Heart Foundation, in most cases, my condition is treatable."

Jordan will run and walk his way up through Brighton, Newport Pagnell, Nottingham and Ilkley before reaching George Square in Glasgow.

The Argus: Jordan will run or walk from Brighton to GlasgowJordan will run or walk from Brighton to Glasgow (Image: BHF)

Karen, the longest serving female professional on Strictly, aims to join him for parts of his challenge while on breaks from tour.

Karen said: “I know how much of a toll Jordan’s heart condition took, not only on his physical but his mental health as well. I know he will absolutely smash this challenge and help to raise an incredible amount of money for the British Heart Foundation. He has worked so hard to get to this point and is a true fighter. He inspires me every day.”