A LIFE-threatening abscess was a risk too far for 'Who Dares Rows' former SAS soldier David Williams.

Currently recovering from surgery, David has had to pull out of plans to cross the Atlantic single-handed and raise funds for the Acorns Children's Hospice. He was due to set out from Tenerife in January.

But already David is talking of another go - and taking a tougher route.

David, aged 44, says he should be ready for a northern crossing in May.

He will set out from St John's, Newfoundland, to travel 1,750 miles of rough, cold, fog bound seas to reach Kilkee on the West Coast of Ireland in around 80-90 days.

If David gets the timing right, the journey should co-incide with the 25th anniversary of the first solo crossing of the Atlantic by another SAS soldier, Tom 'Moby' McClean in May 1969.

David's abscess, between the heart and collarbone, was deemed life threatening.

He underwent surgery at Hereford Hospital last month.

"Although the whole experience has been very painful and uncomfortable, it is only somewhat near what Acorns children go through,'' said David.

"My own physical condition is now on the mend. I knew that I would recover," he added.