Victoria Pendleton set for cameo in Yorkshire soap

Olympic golden girl Victoria Pendleton is to make a guest appearance in ITV’s Yorkshire soap Emmerdale.
Former track cyclist Victoria Pendleton, who is due to appear on ITV's Emmerdale. Picture by Ian West/PA WireFormer track cyclist Victoria Pendleton, who is due to appear on ITV's Emmerdale. Picture by Ian West/PA Wire
Former track cyclist Victoria Pendleton, who is due to appear on ITV's Emmerdale. Picture by Ian West/PA Wire

The retired velodrome star, who has also been a contestant on BBC1’s Strictly Come Dancing, will visit the village ahead of the Tour de France Grand Depart visiting Yorkshire in the summer.

Pendleton makes her cameo after being booked as the celebrity guest to open the refurbished Home Farm.

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She said: “Appearing on a soap is something I never expected to have the opportunity to do. So when the chance came up, I thought it would be really good fun and my mum is a massive Emmerdale fan, so that made the decision very easy.

“Fortunately I’m playing myself, so it shouldn’t be too difficult but it’s still quite nerve-wracking. But the sun is out and I’m sure it will be fun and a great experience to do something different.”

Pendleton won nine world titles, including a record six titles in the individual sprint competition, during a glorious track cycling career in which she represented Great Britain and England.

She also won gold and silver at the London 2012 Olympics.

Emmerdale looks set to incorporate other mentions of the race, with show bosses promising “a few interesting cyclists passing through the village”.

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Producer Kate Oates said: “We are thrilled Victoria Pendleton is coming to Yorkshire to appear in an episode of Emmerdale.

“With the Tour de France coming to Yorkshire in July, the whole area is feeling the excitement of the event – and we felt it was only fitting Emmerdale was part of that.”