15 March 2010
BBC Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills waded through a mile-long river of Londoners' waste today as he took to Thames Water's sewers for Sport Relief.
Scott with sewer flusher, Rob, before they headed down into the sewer
Thames Water's chief sewer flusher Rob Smith, who has spent the last 20 years keeping London's sewers moving, was on hand to guide Scott through his "Mile from Hell" challenge.
Rob said:
"If the DJ'ing doesn't work out, Scott would make a great flusher. And if running a mile in the sewers becomes an Olympic event by 2012, he'll make the GB squad."
Scott, given the challenge on the Chris Moyles show this morning, said as he headed below ground:
"I really didn't know anything about this. It isn't every day you get to down sewers so I am not sure what to expect. I am quite scared but I quite like the outfit!
"People keep telling me it will be ok."
London's famous Victorian sewers were designed in the 1850s by Sir Joseph Bazalgette. Today, Thames Water's flushers keep these historic drains flowing smoothly by digging out vile fat bergs and other hideous blockages.
Piers Bradford, executive producer for the Scott Mills show, said:
"We chose a mile down a sewer as the prospect of it sounded suitably hellish. However, having had a trip down there myself I think this mile was a walk in the park compared to what we've got planned for the rest of the week!"
Thames Water employees are also supporting Sport Relief by volunteering to take calls at the firm's Swindon Customer Centre.
Watch the video
Watch Scott Mills' Sport Relief sewer challenge (Links to BBC website)
