Sir Bradley Wiggins to guest-edit BBC Radio 4 Today programme

Sir Bradley Wiggins has been named one of the guest editors of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme over the Christmas and New Year period.

The show featuring the former Team Sky rider, who in June set a new UCI Hour Record and is aiming for a fifth Olympic gold medal in the team pursuit at Rio next summer, will be broadcast on from 6am to 9am on 29 December.

Wiggins is one of six people from various walks of life who will edit the show in what has become an annual festive tradition.

Other guest editors this year include the lawyer Miriam González Durántez, who is the wife of former Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg, and the actor, Michael Sheen.

Since the role was introduced in 2003, participants have included Bono, Stephen Hawking, Yoko Ono and PJ Harvey.

Wiggins, like the other guest editors, will oversee approximately half of the show on the day he has been given, and will be live on air.

Participants are given free rein to stamp their personalities on the show, which in Wiggins’ case should make for interesting listening.

The identity of one of the show’s guests is already known – former England footballer and now TV presenter Gary Lineker, whom Wiggins will be asking about life after retirement from professional sport.

Wiggins said: "I don't know anything about politics or economic policy. But I've listened to a lot of people having a good old moan over the years. You meet interesting characters when you're out on a bike.

"I told them I'd do this show if I could shine the spotlight on stuff that interests me.

"Like did London 2012 do any good? Where is the next generation of Bradley Wiggins going to come from? What actually happens to you when you retire? And why should anyone bother to vote for politicians?"

Wiggins is becoming something of a frequent visitor to Broadcasting House in Central London.

In 2012, the year he won the Tour de France and Olympic gold in the time trial in London, he recorded a show with his idol, Paul Weller, which was broadcast on Boxing Day.

> Wiggins jams with the Modfather

And earlier this year, he was featured on Desert Island Discs – curiously, none of his choices was from Weller, The Jam or The Style Council, though there was a bit of Chas & Dave.

> Sir Bradley Wiggins on Desert Island Discs