Celebrities saddle up for '˜brutal' STV cycling show

Model Jodie Kidd is among eight celebrities that will take part in a new reality television show being made by STV Productions.

Jodie Kidd will be taking on a 'brutal' cycling challenge for STV's new show. Picture: Ian Walton/Getty Images

The Glasgow-based media company has been commissioned by Channel 5 to produce a four-part series called Tour De Celeb, which will see stars take on a “brutal” cycling challenge.

Kidd will be joined by presenter Angellica Bell, retired cricketer Darren Gough, former rugby union player Austin Healey, The Only Way Is Essex star Lucy Mecklenburgh, choreographer Louie Spence, Made in Chelsea’s Hugo Taylor and Olympic skeleton champion Amy Williams as they are given three months to prepare for what STV called the “toughest physical and mental challenge on TV” – the 90-mile L’Etape du Tour in France.

L’Etape, which passes through the French Alps from Megève to Morzine, is said to be the third-largest participatory event in sport, with about 15,000 amateur riders taking on the same route as a real stage of the Tour de France. The event has been held each year since 1993.

STV creative director Dan Korn said: “I’m positive that viewers will be captivated by the emotional and physical journey that our celebrities will take as they train and ultimately tackle L’Etape du Tour in France.”