Bradley Wiggins in The Jump? Let’s cut him a bit of celebrity slack | Tim Lewis

Jan 07, 2017

The cycling legend’s entry into the Channel 4 reality show will be seen by some as a sell-out, but we can’t expect our sporting heroes to have impeccable legacies

Cycling fans have long been inured to being let down by their heroes. Even still, there has been a special pang of say-it-ain’t-so-Joe disappointment with the announcement from Bradley Wiggins that, starting next month, he will be going head-to-head with Towie’s Lydia Bright and Spencer Matthews from Made in Chelsea to see who’s better at giant slalom. At stake, the prestigious Cowbell Trophy.

“Skiing is a big passion of mine,” said Wiggins, revealing that he would be one of 14 competitors on Channel 4’s reality show The Jump. “It was a mix of that and the other committed names this year that made me want to sign up. Major retiring Olympians such as Sir Steve Redgrave have also trod this path. I see this as a sporting challenge and want to go out there and win it. Just don’t call me a celebrity.”

Tags: Cycling Sir Bradley Wiggins Sport