A charity swimmer who became an overnight sensation when he jumped into a lake to celebrate Europe's Ryder Cup victory has recreated his antics on a TV show. 

Footage of John Burleigh's enthusiastic celebrations in Rome went viral in October and ahead of the New Year he re-entered the spotlight on Channel Four.

John appeared on 'The Last Leg' for its Hogmanay round-up of the year after comedian Josh Widdicombe picked the TV clip as his personal highlight of 2023.

Largs and Millport Weekly News: John Burleigh and Tommy FleetwoodJohn Burleigh and Tommy Fleetwood (Image: Newsquest)

The popular TV show, fronted by Australian Adam Hills, saw him explain that they had invited John on to the set in front of a studio audience to explain why he carried out the leap of faith.

John couldn't resist the opportunity to make waves as he took the plunge at the 16th hole of the Marco Simone Golf & Country Club in Rome when Tommy Fleetwood ensured Europe would regain the trophy from the USA.

John, who hails from Greenock, was born and bred in Largs and co-ordinated the Gillian Saltire Appeal charity swim from Cumbrae to Largs for many years. 

He is a keen swimmer and has taken part in the challenge each year it was running up until 2019.

And upon taking his seat on the Last Leg, John created a buzz among the show stars Adam, Josh and Alex Brooker by gifting them 'tartan bunnets' and scarves from his own personal company,

John is no stranger to the limelight having presented his Tam O’Shanter hats to Jamaican sprint stars at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, including Usain Bolt, and has also made a number of tv appearances at the Davis Cup in tennis in Glasgow too.

Largs and Millport Weekly News:

Speaking on the show, Josh Widdicombe said: "John Burleigh is my hero - Europe have just won the Ryder Cup, and he jumps straight into the river!

"They let him walk back into the crowd who are chanting one more time so he goes and does it again! And then jumped in three times in the water - what a legend!"

And presenter Adam Hills said: "I have no idea why he did it, we have no idea why he did it, so we have invited him on the show."

John explained to the live audience: "It was 32 degrees and it was cooking, and I had the privilege of being with ten grown up men dressed up as bananaman, and it was fantastic.

"The bananamen said to me to come to the front of the crowd - and that was me after that - I was on fire.

Largs and Millport Weekly News: Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker with Tartan bunnetsJosh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker with Tartan bunnets (Image: Channel Four)

"Tommy Fleetwood took his putt and everyone erupted - and the guy next to me said if you are going to go for it, go for it now, and that is what I did, and the rest is history."

And as John was thanked and headed off stage, he was asked to re-create his famous jump to the great delight of The Last Leg team and audience - as he dived onto a padded mat at the side of the stage.

The audience then started clapping again to John as he was urged to recreate the big dive one more time - just like at the Ryder Cup - and as he was game for a laugh, repeated the dive to great hoots of laughter from the panellists and audience on the show. He left the stage to full cheers from the audience.

You can watch John's telly appearance here: https://www.channel4.com/programmes/the-last-leg-of-the-year