Zandra cameo for the Archers

Zandra Rhodes is to take on a cameo role in The Archers. The 65-year-old fashion icon will appear as herself in an episode of the long-running BBC Radio 4 serial.

She will be guest of honour at a charity fashion show in an episode to be broadcast on September 22.

The eccentric designer, known for her colourful creations and even more colourful appearance, joins an illustrious list of guest stars who have joined the cast in the village of Ambridge.

They include Princess Margaret, Terry Wogan and Dame Judi Dench. Miss Rhodes established her own fashion house in Fulham Road, West London, in 1969.

She divides her time between London and California and has said that she misses The Archers and another Radio 4 classic series, Desert Island Discs, whenever she is away from England.

"I have been listening to The Archers since the 1950s and became hooked after the episode in which Grace Archer died in a barn fire," she said.

"I got the call from my office to say the programme's production assistant had been on the phone to ask if I would be interested in appearing,' she told the Times.

"I told my secretary to say "yes" without any hesitation. I am thrilled. It was meant to be a secret, but word soon got around among my friends."

Programme director Rosemary Watts said: "It was a great pleasure to work with Zandra, a truly iconic personality from the world of fashion."