In 2014 Beelen achieved a Guinness World Record for the longest radio DJ marathon ever, lasting 198 hours of non-stop broadcasting,[2] after having improved the world record for the longest duration continuous crowd surfing in 2011.

In one part he and the interviewed person are naked (but largely this amounts to showing the bare shoulders).

In 1997 Beelen moved to the AVRO at Radio 3FM, where he hosted a show during night time.

From 2004 until 2017 Giel worked for the NPS, back to the VARA, to present his breakfast show 'GIEL!'

In 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013 he lived in the Glass House (Het Glazen Huis) a week prior to Christmas without anything to eat to collect money for projects supported by the Red Cross in a show called Serious Request.