It was a tear-jerking finale to BBC star Vernon Kay's epic Ultra ultramarathon challenge - as he entered his home town of Bolton to huge cheers. Vernon was in tears as he completed the gruelling 116 mile route from Leicester to Bolton over the course of four epic days and learnt he'd raised £4MILLION so far.

And BBC Radio 2 listeners flooded social media to say they were in tears too after following his challenge over the past week. Thousands and thousands of messages of support have flooded in for Vernon, many saying he has "brought the whole nation together" with his efforts for BBC Children in Need.

He arrived in Bolton just after 9.30am on Friday, before running into the Bolton Wanderers football stadium at 10am to be greeted by cheerleaders, a brass band and a huge crowd of fans who had applied to be there to see him cross the finish line. Pudsey Bear also whooped and cheered his arrival.

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Vernon's mum and dad, Gladys and Norm, and family and friends were also in the audience to cheer him on. And Vernon was in tears as he hugged them at the stadium, although wife Tess Daly had posted she was "absolutely gutted" not to be at the finish line due to filming Strictly Come Dancing in Blackpool.

On Friday, Vernon set off just before 7am from Emirates Old Trafford cricket ground in Manchester to undertake his final leg to his home town of Bolton. Despite his tired limbs and aching knees strapped up with bandages he jogged through Salford, on to Walkden, through Little Hulton and on through Middlebrook.

There was huge excitement at Vernon's former school, St Joseph's RC High School in Horwich, just after 9.30am as he ran past to huge screams from pupils there.

He stopped to chat to Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball and said: "This is amazing, that's the pick-me-up I needed."

He was told by Zoe the new fundraising total at that stage had reached £3.7mn. His mum Gladys waiting for him at the stadium told Zoe: "I'm speechless, do you know I used to run him to school in the car."

Upon completing the challenge,Vernon, 50, praised all the people who had cheered him on along the way. A further fundraising update revealed he's now raised an epic £4MILLION so far.

He was in tears as he said: "It has been absolutely unbelievable. One of the most painful, but joyful experiences.

"The best part of the challenge has been seeing everyone out on the streets, whooping and cheering, that has just been amazing."

But he admitted he was "mentally and physically exhausted" after the challenge. To add to the tears, Zoe Ball brought out as a surprise listener Barbara who ealier in the week had left Vernon and the nation in tears.

Vernon told Barbara: "Your letter, I'll cherish forever. Tess has framed it for me in the kitchen."

He also sent a message to thank all the truckers who honked their horn at him along the way.

Thursday had been the toughest day of his challenge as he had to tackle Kinder Scout in the Peak District, before his descent to Stockport via Mellor and Marple Bridge. After conquering the highest point in Derbyshire, Vernon had even said he didn't know if he could carry on.

But carry on he did, buoyed by the cheering crowds through Hayfield and on into Stockport. He had a hero's welcome when he finally arrived in Old Trafford on Thursday night and was told he had raised £2.7mn at that point.

However he smashed through the £3.7mn mark by Friday morning, and fans continued to send thousands and thousands of pounds in donations as he made his final run towards Bolton.

The MEN's Facebook page has been flooded with emotional messages from members of the public who have been overwhelmed by Vernon's achievements.

Alexander Sam wrote: "Vernon, you are an international star. We have been following you, feeling your emotions, cheering for you, and sharing tears with you.

"We donated because love and care transcend borders. Your genuine and caring nature makes you our role model. Greetings from a Slovenian family currently staying in London."

Lesley Humphreys said: "Vernon you are an inspiration to everyone. Wow what an amazing total and still rising."

Gillian Malcolm wrote: "He’s incredible… how many lives he has helped by raising that amount of money…. Well done". April Barrett added: "Go Vernon.. you’ve so brightened this week for so many in this very sad world just now. Magic!"

Zoe Ball said: "You have moved people. What you have completed over the last four days, thank you on behalf of us all."