Charity bike challenge for 'Oaks actor

Hollyoaks star Dean Aspen has announced that he is to take part in a 65-mile bike ride to raise money for charity.

The actor, who plays Duncan Smith on the Channel 4 teen soap, will cycle from Manchester to Blackpool on July 4 in aid of cancer centre The Christie.

Writing on his official fundraising page, Aspen commented: "The work that people do at Christie's is so very important and the cause is something very close to my heart.

"It is for this reason that I will be getting up at some ridiculous time in the morning, putting on some skin tight shorts that feel like they have a nappy sewn inside, dragging my big fat backside onto a bike - with a very skinny saddle - and sweating, panting and - I'll be honest - probably crying for the 65 miles all the way to sunny Blackpool!"

He added: "After all day on a bike, chances are that my poor buttocks may never be the same again, but it will be worth it to know that we, together, have raised some money for a good cause. So please think of the people you will be helping, think of my bruised posterior and give generously!"

The Manchester To Blackpool Bike Ride is an annual event organised by The Christie. It attracted over 2,000 participants last year.