Emotional Joe Wicks hosts final online PE class and tells fans: ‘Keep it up’

Joe Wicks said he was “really emotional” as he hosted the last of his online PE sessions which helped keep the country fit during lockdown.

The fitness guru, who has been watched millions of times on YouTube during lockdown and raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for the NHS, ended Wednesday’s workout by telling fans to “keep it up”.

Known as The Body Coach, Wicks completed his final session in his living room, adorned with balloons and bunting, and told viewers he will “be back” later in the year.

He has amassed £580,000 for the NHS through his online sessions as gyms closed during the coronavirus crisis.

Wicks’s wife, former glamour model Rosie Jones, joined the last session along with their two children Indie and Marley.

“It’s a sad day but I’m so proud,” Wicks said. “We’re fitter and stronger. We’re healthier and happier.”

After letting off party poppers, he added: “That’s the end of PE With Joe.

“Thank you so much for taking part. Thank you to everyone from the teaching assistants, parents, the fans, everyone that’s taken part. I’ve loved it so much and I’m going to miss you all.”

Wicks said he is having a “little break” but revealed he plans to do more live work in the future.

“I don’t know what to say, I’m really emotional,” he added.

Wicks urged his followers to keep exercising.

He said: “You feel quite low, your energy is not great. You come through the workout… you feel energised, happy, you’re positive, it makes you feel fit and strong and confident.

“Just because live workouts aren’t on, keep going. Every single workout we’ve ever done is on the channel. Go back and relive it.”

Wicks continued: “Keep training together as a family, you are each other’s role models. It’s all about mental health and you’re going to be living a healthier, happier life if you exercise together. So please keep it up.

“From me and the Wicks family, bye everybody.”

Wicks’s live fitness sessions, called PE With Joe, began 18 weeks ago for children stuck at home, but it gripped the nation and people of all ages joined in.

His wife Rosie said she was “looking forward to having my husband back in the mornings”.

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Fans flooded the comments section on YouTube by thanking Wicks, with one person writing: “Thank you Joe, you’ve put so much goodness into the world in just two or three months and none of us will ever forget it.”

Another person said: “Tear jerking last live PE with Joe but look forward to following @thebodycoach in the weeks and months ahead.”

(c) Sky News 2020: Emotional Joe Wicks hosts final online PE class and tells fans: ‘Keep it up’