BASINGSTOKE legend Dave Holby-Wolinski got a real shock when he was interviewed for the ITV feelgood show Surprise, Surprise.

The 33-year-old rower was in the audience with his wife Lara when a spotlight singled him out, before presenter Holly Willougby asked him questions about his fundraising work.

Dave, of Longbridge Road, Bramley, was nicknamed Dave the Rower after his epic rowing challenge in Basingstoke in 2010 for rowing around the world on a static machine.

He travelled to London for the show months ago, along with Lara and Janis Taylor, who founded The Pink Place, in Basingstoke, which supports women battling cancer.

Dave did not know he had been nominated by Mrs Taylor, and believed he was going to watch a TV programme, before talking to producers about a possible interview about his work and the Basingstoke charity.

But as he sat in the audience, a giant spotlight picked him out and the cameras focused in on him.

He said: “Holly Willougby was so lovely and really great, and it was a lovely evening going up to London. We talked about the world record and they spoke to Janis, who talked about our connection with breast cancer and the charity, and the different events we have done.

“I remember thinking that my mind went blank. I was so nervous, and I was babbling my way through most of it.”

Afterwards, the guests went backstage, where they met Dame Kelly Holmes, who won gold medals in the 800m and 1,500m at the Athens Olympics in 2004. Dave added: “They had some amazing people there, and it was a real shock.

“Janis was great and The Pink Place is the most amazing charity, and if this programme does anything to promote them and the work they do, it would be fantastic.”

Dave's appearance is due to be shown on next week's episode.