Martyn Ashton joins BBC1 daytime TV line-up

Road Bike Party star Martyn Ashton, left paralysed from the waist down after crashing during a stunt show in 2013, is to join BBC1’s daytime line-up as co-presenter of a programme that aims to inspire people taking part in community projects.

The bike trials legend, whom many have hailed as an inspiration for the manner in which he has tackled his life-changing injuries, will form part of the team presenting a weekday morning show, People Power.

> All our Martyn Ashton coverage on road.cc

His fellow hosts will be Dave Myers of Hairy Bikers fame, Chelsea Flower Show gold medal winner Juliet Sargeant, and Nicki Chapman, presenter of programmes including Wanted Down Under and Escape to the Country.

Earlier this year, Ashton tackled the Fort William downhill mountain bike course on a specially adapted bicycle. Riding with his friend Danny MacAskill, the pair’s ride on the World Cup course was featured on the ITV programme Real Stories.

> Martyn Ashton and Danny MacAskill on ITV's Real Stories

According to the BBC, the new programme, which will comprise five 45-minute episodes over the span of a week yet to be confirmed, aims “to show that all of us have something we can do, however small that can make a huge difference to the lives of others.

“In a bid to build a sense of community and shared responsibility for those around us in need, the team will be calling upon volunteers to put their skills, imagination and elbow grease to use to put something back into the communities in which we live.

“Over the course of the week they will be highlighting some incredible volunteering projects around the UK, whilst also calling on some well-known faces to help them bring a lasting and impactful transformation to one community in need.

It adds that Ashton “will be visiting projects around the UK to bring inspiration back to the community project.”