Celebrity post-race quotes

“It's very emotional running here. We were running for our mum and it's an honour to be here. All that training and hard work feels like it was worth it. 

“The highlight for me was crossing the line. I really hope to do it another year.”

“It was emotional, the best event ever for me. Before I Christmas I could only do 2K.  

“Jeremy has done a great job training me for the last six months. 

" I think my knees are about to give out, I'm dreading taking my trainers off. There are things exploding down there. 

“At the end I burst into tears, realising I'd finished. We ran the whole way together; we are a team. Everyone needs a Jeremy in their life.” 

“This is my second marathon; this was one harder, which was frustrating because I trained so much. Midway through I thought I might not finish; I just hit a brick wall. 

“But then the crowds were saying, ‘Come on, Rom, you can do it. And I couldn't say no. Finishing feels really great, it’s good to do something different.”

"It was tough out there, halfway through I knew I needed to back off and look after myself. Good to be running for Babs' Army again [supporting Alzheimer's Research to find a cure, in memory of the late Dame Barbara Windsor] even though I was on my own. It's more a special unit than an army. I think I was the only one daft enough to say yes this year.

"I was meant to be running it from my son but he got injured, so if London Marathon let me come back next year, I'll do it with my son."

"This was my 10th London Marathon but the hardest ever, I was really happy to finish and get the medal. Running brings a good feeling, the struggle is really rewarding [once you finish]. I didn't run at my normal pace, but when you give up your race plan, it takes the pressure off and you enjoy it more."

On the marathon:

"There was a lot of pain out there, but it was great to have a whole load of support all the way and it pushed me and spurred me on."

When asked on why he entered the marathon:

"I was out on a drunken charity night with the charity, Rays of Sunshine, and I agreed to do it. The charity immediately followed up the next day. I've raised almost £50,000, so it's been worth it.

"It's really hard on 13 miles because you're on Tower Bridge and you can see the runners coming back from the Docklands, knowing that you've got to go down and come back."

How does it compare to your Champions League and Premier League titles:

"It's too hard to tell, I'm in too much pain.

"It was harder than I thought, and my partner, Jodie, got me through it."

On Danny Mills finishing before him:

"Danny can't beat me on the golf course and he certainly couldn't beat me on the pitch, so I'm happy for him to take the running title."

"This was my third London Marathon and it went well because I followed the pacemaker. That saves a lot of your own personal admin. I am absolutely destroyed, though, but the sunshine was better than horizontal rain. I'm currently starring in a West End show and my castmates have noticed me hobbling around the stage after my training runs.

Was the marathon harder than being on stage?

"I wouldn't want to have to do the marathon eight times a week, as I do the Unicorn [his play] performances."

On how he found the marathon: 

“There were some tough and challenging moments out there, it was one of the toughest things I've done. It was painful at times and took me to some dark places, but you learn a lot about yourself."

On what kept him motivated:

“I ran it for the British Heart Foundation because my daughter [Siena] had open heart surgery. I saw her on the way around and she helped me get through it.” 

“This is such fun, it's one of those things. It's not easy doing a marathon, but it's a privilege to be part of this event. 

“The first 10K was the worst for me, because I fell in with a quick group and tried to keep up with them. I hardly have time to be here, never mind train. 

“The best of humanity are involved in this race, a group of guys ran past me and there was a distinctive minty smell that I recognised immediately, it's cream that we use on cows udders and they admitted they were using it on their nipples. 

“This has been my most ill-prepared marathon yet, but I got around and it’s a great joy. I always think it’s a privilege to be in people's living rooms, and I got recognition from the crowd on the course. 

“My friend who is not a runner rang me this morning and told me that she did 5K today, inspired by my marathon. And if I could keep doing this it will be amazing.”

“I was ok up until 15 miles and then I realised age is not just a number; getting old catches up with you and from then it was just a slog. 

“I wanted to get a PB [personal best] today, but I didn't make it, it was my fifth London today and the advice from my son [middle-distance runner George Mills] was to run fast and don't give up. 

“They say to give it everything: I think I've definitely given my left knee out there today, it’s somewhere near Tower Bridge. Congratulations to every single person that turned up today.”

On running against other footballers like John Terry:

“If you can't beat John Terry then there's something wrong with you, even when you're over 50.”

“It was brutal. I tried to break 2:50, but only did 3:08. The heat got the better of me, but when I realised it was about completion, I focused on my running.

“It was an amazing experience, such a community out there, people patting you on the back. I have to say it was one of my top five experiences.”

“Boxing is important to me, but I took a break from that and when my sister passed away from bowel cancer I took up running.”

“I managed to run all the way. I'm 15 minutes slower than planned, but the heat was something else. 

“This is my sixth marathon and it’s all about experience; I really don't think I've got enough experience yet. I'm really proud that I'm raising so much money for the Children's Trust."

“It was incredible out there; everything everyone promises. A new experience for me, but a real fight. 

“What an incredible day, so well organised. There was a lot of support out there for me.

“It's incredible to think I only started running this time last year. Sport is an incredible thing, it gives me a reason to be proud and stay well.”

“I was aiming for 3:30, but I did it in 3:42, so I didn't quite make it, but I didn't do the training. 

“It was actually quite nice not to follow a plan and just enjoy it and I went with the flow. 

“I've never done it before and, to be honest, the reason I did it is because Laura [his wife] entered us both, but she got pregnant, so I still felt I needed to do it. 

“I've been running it to raise money for Chris Hoy’s charity, Tour De 4, it’s a cancer charity. The power of sport is very special to me.” 

“Next year, can you make it 19 miles? It'll be a lot easier.

“I'm running for an amazing charity. My wife died of pancreatic cancer last year and this is a cancer that there's not enough research on. But there's hope in a new blood test, that hopefully will be rolled out in the next five years. At last, they've had a breakthrough. 

“This marathon has been a gift, as I've not been injured all year.”