Tommy Little to attempt swim relay between England and Belgium – even though he can’t swim

He revealed earlier this month that his New Year’s resolution was to learn to swim before hopelessly trying his hand at lessons last week. 

But Tommy Little has now set his sights higher – with plans to join a team and swim the world first England to Belgium relay in July with swimmer and English Channel Queen, Chloe McCardel. 

The Project host spoke about his commitment to the relay with his co-host Carrie Bickmore on their Hit Network radio show Carrie & Tommy on Tuesday.

Little, 36 had invited McCardel on the show last week, with the open water swimmer telling Tommy at the time that she believes she could ‘train him’ so he could ‘swim in a relay from England to Belgium in 12 months’. 

‘That swim that Chloe was talking about has never been done before,’ Tommy told Bickmore as the radio show cut back to the duo. 

‘It’s about three-and-a-half months away, and there was one spot left on the team,’ he continued.

‘It’s about three-and-a-half months away, and there was one spot left on the team’: The TV host spoke about his commitment to the relay with his co-host Carrie Bickmore on their Hit Network radio show Carrie & Tommy on Tuesday

Carrie is then heard on the air snorting and trying to suppress her laughter as Tommy temporarily pauses to see her reaction. 

‘It was only fitting, I thought. I spoke to Chloe and I’ve signed up and committed to it.’

‘So we’re going to swim from England to Belgium, and I just think it’s fun,’ he added.

Determined: ‘So we’re going to swim from England to Belgium, and I just think it’s fun,’ Tommy explained on air

Carrie proceeded to laugh about the announcement before applauding her co-host for his commitment to the special event.

‘That’s escalated quickly, hasn’t it?’ she said. ‘From the kiddie pool to the Channel.’ 

Tommy explained that the swim will take ‘anywhere between 35 and 45 hours,’ which prompted Carrie to laugh once again.

A big step up: Tommy explained to Carrie that the swim will take ‘anywhere between 35 and 45 hours,’ which prompted his co-host to laugh

The England to Belgium relay takes place in July and is 95 kilometres in length. 

There will be teams of 10 at the event, with each team member required to swim in 30-minute blocks.  

It means Tommy will need to swim for an estimated three-and-a-half to four-and-a-half hours across the Channel depending on the speed of his team and the team order. 

The England to Belgium swim has never been done before. 

The event: The England to Belgium relay takes place in July and is 95 kilometres in length