Paddy McGuinness smashes World Record for the fastest speed reached in an ice cream van on Top Gear

Paddy McGuinness has smashed the Guinness World Record for how fast someone can drive in an ice cream van.

Achieving the feat on Sunday night’s Top Gear, the presenter, 47, hopped into an electric van, aptly named Mr Nippy.

Aiming to beat the previous record of 73.921 mph, formerly held by inventor Edd China, Paddy headed to the Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire in October with Guinness World Records Adjudicator Pravin Patel in attendance.

Man on a mission: Paddy McGuinness has smashed the Guinness World Record for how fast someone can drive in an ice cream van

Paddy captained the four-wheel drive van – which is based on a 1979 Bedford CF ice cream van with a 1980s Land Rover 110 chassis, Tesla running gear, and powered by Mercedes/Tesla batteries – reaching a top speed of 80.043mph.

However, the record has since been beaten again.

Paddy also came up with a plan to try and save the traditional ice cream van.

His answer lies in the shape of the home-built, all-electric, all-terrain ice cream van for the 21st century.

From whippy to nippy: Achieving the feat on Sunday night’s Top Gear, the presenter, 47, hopped into an electric van, aptly named Mr Nippy

Mission accomplished: Aiming to beat the previous record of 73.921 mph, formerly held by inventor Edd China, Paddy headed to the Elvington Airfield in Yorkshire in October with Guinness World Records Adjudicator Pravin Patel in attendance

The vehicle sweeps streets, crosses beaches, and has even got an on-board rubber ring for aquatic ice cream delivery.

The final episode in Top Gear’s 29th series saw the Bolton-born host showcase Mr Nippy’s unique features to fellow presenters Freddie Flintoff and Chris Harris around Blackpool before a paintball shoot-out against a crack team of hot food vehicles on Salisbury Plain.

Paddy said: ‘Since joining Top Gear I’ve already had a lifetime’s worth of amazing experiences but achieving a Guinness World Records title is total life goals.

Smashed it: Paddy captained the four-wheel drive van – which is based on a 1979 Bedford CF ice cream van with a 1980s Land Rover 110 chassis, Tesla running gear, and powered by Mercedes/Tesla batteries – reaching a top speed of 80.043mph

Big plans: Paddy also came up with a plan to try and save the traditional ice cream van

‘The distant jingle of an ice cream van still makes kids and adults giddy with excitement and I hope viewers enjoy what we’ve done with the unique Mr Nippy.’

Series 29 of the world’s biggest motoring entertainment show has been thrilling millions of BBC One and BBC iPlayer viewers every week since its debut earlier this month.

The full series of Top Gear is available on BBC iPlayer. 

We all scream for ice cream: His answer lies in the shape of the home-built, all-electric, all-terrain ice cream van for the 21st century