Why I love... running

BBC Sport Online's Mike Burnett catches up with top children's TV presenter Angellica Bell as she explains why she cannot stop running.

You need to look energetic on children's television, but Angellica Bell's high-octane performance is no act.

The bouncy presenter practically oozes energy from every pore.

You would have thought all this long distance running and training might have siphoned off some of her hyperactive behaviour.

But no, if anything, she is more full of life than ever.

I remember when I finished the Great North Run, it was the best moment of my life

  Angellica Bell

"I found out that when I started training I had more energy and wanted to do more things."

It must be very useful when your schedule is as busy as Angellica's.

The Ealing-based star has her hands full presenting kids consumer show Short Change and activity programme X-Change, as well as being one of the main faces of CBBC.

But 'Gelly', as she is known to her mates, claims that she now has the energy to go out partying after a hard day at the office

"It has helped my social life because I wanted to go out," she laughed.

Tough challenge

Her interest in slogging her guts out over large distances started last year when a friend ran the London Marathon.

"He was so into it and so happy to do it," Angellica recalled.

"I wanted to set myself a challenge, so I decided to do the Great North Run."

Opting to take part in the famous half-marathon between Newcastle and South Shields in last October could hardly be called easing into the sport gently.

But by the time she staggered over the finish line, she had caught the running bug.

Angellica: unstoppable at work and play

"I remember when I finished the Great North Run, it was the best moment of my life."

Since then she has done the Great South Run and is planning on running her first full marathon in New York in a few months.

A distance of 26 miles is a gruelling prospect for even the bubbliest presenter, but Angellica has a cunning plan.

"I'll run there and then I have two days shopping, so there is an incentive to finish the race!"

The idea of trudging round shops for two days after running a marathon may not appeal to most people, but Angellica might just manage it.

Of course, in true TV celebrity fashion, Angellica does it for charity as well as her own amusement.

So far she has raised a hefty wad of cash for SPARKS (SPort Aiding medical Research for KidS).

The hyperactive presenter looks set to raise plenty more in the future as she is showing no signs of running out of puff yet.

So the next time 'Gelly' is jumping around on your television screen, you will know where she gets all that energy from.