'I beg of you please stay out!'

Eddie Izzard’s 24th consecutive marathon had a dramatic ending yesterday as gatecrashers tried to invade the studio where the comic was running.

With a mixture of panic and irritation, Izzard yelled at the interlopers to get out of the Covid-secure space. 

'No, no, no you can’t come in, you can’t come in,’ the 58-year-old told them. ‘I'm so sorry! You can’t come in, you can’t come in it is Covid safe.

After being ignored, Izzard’s pleas became more intense: 'Please, please you have to go I am sorry. Do not! Do not! Do not! Stop! It is Covid safe go out, please go out, it is Covid safe, we have to be, please I beg of you, please stay out.’

Izzard, who prefers to use she/her pronouns,  is running 31 marathons in 31 days for charity on a treadmill,  at the Riverside Studios in Hammersmith, West London.

Yesterday’s drama came just as she was finishing the 26-mile course. ‘Well that was alarming,’ she said at the end. ‘Holy moly!’

 The comic was talking to radio presenter Chris Moyles when the interruption occurred, and she later shared the incident on Twitter.

‘Two guys tried to get in,’ Izzard explained. ‘We’ve got the doors open to let the air in from inside and they came in.’

A dramatic ending to a very tough marathon 24. It’s hard enough for @eddieizzard as it is without having to contend with gatecrashers. Thanks to @ChrisMoyles for your support #MakeHumanityGreatAgain Please donate at https://t.co/rKmg6kjyGW - the Beekeepers pic.twitter.com/lZqpXzo9s5

— Eddie Izzard (@eddieizzard) January 24, 2021

The comic’s marathon has so far made almost £130,000 from crowdfunding donations, topped up by an estimated £75,000 in GiftAid tax relief. 

Fans in the UK can also donate £10 by texting  TEN to 70810 or £20 by texting TWENTY to the same number.  Standard network message charges also apply.

And more is being raised as Izzard performs a livestreamed stand-up show after each marathon. Get tickets here.

Published: 25 Jan 2021