What an incredible year for Bradley Wiggins. Just when you think his career can get no better, can reach no higher peak, then he has the ultimate accolade bestowed upon him.
Sports Personality of the Year? Pah! As recognition goes that's small fry in comparison to what a packed house in Hammersmith witnessed last night.
As Paul Weller brought his rousing show for Crisis (the national charity for single homeless people) to a close, he had one more surprise in store for the audience. As he brought the band back on for their only encore Weller announced that there was to be another special guest to join him (having already had Miles Kane and Emeli Sande putting in guest appearances earlier in the evening).
Those in the know already had an inkling that Wiggins would put in an appearance, maybe a regal nod of appreciation from him up in the balcony, but nobody could have expected this.
After a short delay Wiggins finally got his guitar sorted with the roadie at the side of the stage and the crowd slowly clicked as to the identity of the special guest - and the inevitable terrace chant of "WI-GGO! WI-GGO! WI-GGO" began to fill the auditorium.
Then the chanting throng were treated to one of Weller's best know songs 'That's Entertainment'. Wiggins was strumming along, concentrating on his guitar and seemingly not entirely comfortable with the experience, leaning across to chat to Steve Craddock (Ocean Colour Scene and long time Weller collaborator) throughout the song.
Wiggins on stage
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Come the end of the gig the audience was in raptures, and as the band bid the crowd farewell, Wiggins turned to the crowd to wave his appreciation with a broad smile on his face, the experience maybe not as stressful as it appeared. It was in fact Wiggins's second appearance on stage in just a few days after he played with Rick Parfitt Junior's band - and a singing security guard - at the Sports Personality after party.
The Tour of Romandie, the Critérium du Dauphiné, Paris-Nice, the Tour de France, the Olympic time trial, Sports Personality of the Year and now this, surely the highlight of his entire career: playing on stage with Paul Weller.
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