Olympic gold medallist Bradley Wiggins is set to star in the popular Radio 4 soap, The Archers, as part of The BBC’s Sport Relief campaign. The cameo role will see cyclist Wiggins play himself as he encounters Lynda Snell (played by Carole Boyd) and her rusty bike. "It's not every day you get to star in the world's longest-running soap opera," said Sir Bradley.

Bradley WigginsBradley Wiggins leaving a trendy party in London

"When I was asked to record a Sport Relief special for The Archers, there was no way I could turn it down," he said. "I grew up with it on the radio in the house." Wiggins’ time in Ambridge has a purpose: he’s there to judge the winner of the village’s Sport Relief charity event. But he’ll also have an "amusing encounter with Lynda Snell and her rusty old bike", according to programme makers. He joins the list of previous cameos, which includes Dame Judi Dench, Chris Moyles and the Duchess of Cornwall.

"Meeting the cast, the writer and the director was an honour and I really hope the storyline will raise awareness about Sport Relief's amazing work," said cyclist, who has won four gold medals, not to mention the Tour de France. "The best thing of all is that the money you raise goes towards helping people living really tough lives here in the UK and across the world."

Wiggins – who was born in Ghent, Belgium - became a national icon following the London 2012 Olympics, which was successful for England, both in terms of its successful hosting of the event, but also on a sporting level. His special Sports Relief episode will air at 7pm on Friday 21 March on Radio 4, with the Sport Relief Games beginning the following weekend.