Six-time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy has revealed he has “two to four years” left to live after being diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Hoy, 48, announced in February that he was being treated for cancer but stated that treatment was “going really well”.

However a scan last September showed a tumour in his shoulder. A second scan found the main cancer to be in his prostate – which has since spread to his shoulder, pelvis, hip, ribs and spine.

The cycling champion, who has two children aged seven and 10 with his wife Sarra, has now revealed he has been given a terminal diagnosis.

Sir Chris told The Sunday Times: “As unnatural as it feels, this is nature.” He added that he has kept the diagnosis private for a year.

“You know, we were all born and we all die, and this is just part of the process. You remind yourself, aren’t I lucky that there is medicine I can take that will fend this off for as long as possible. But most of the battle for me with cancer hasn’t been physical. For me, it has been in my head.”

Some weeks before his cancer diagnosis, his wife Sarra had tests on a tingling sensation in her face and tongue.

Then just before Christmas it was confirmed she had multiple sclerosis (MS) that was “very active and aggressive” and needed urgent treatment.

In February, as he was undergoing treatment, including chemotherapy, Hoy said he felt “forced” to reveal his cancer diagnosis publicly.

The Prime Minister has said “the whole country” was behind Sir Chris, who won six Olympic golds and 11 World Championships.

Sir Keir Starmer tweeted on Sunday: “Such sad news. Chris is a British sporting legend. To face his diagnosis with such positivity is inspiring.

“The whole country is behind him and his family.”

Scottish First Minister John Swinney praised his “incredible courage. I send every good wish to Sir Chris Hoy and his family.

“He has always inspired us by all that he has done. He is a person of incredible courage and that shines through today.”

Sir Mark Cavendish, who holds the record for Tour de France stage wins, was among those sending their support to the Scot, describing his fellow cyclist as a “hero of a human being”.

Fellow Scot Ally McCoist, a former Scotland football international, said: “You, my friend are a superstar in every sense of the word.”

Sir Chris’s Olympic colleague Dame Kelly Holmes, Britain’s most successful Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey, British Cycling, world sprint champion Harrie Lavreysen, and comedian Jack Whitehall, also replied with messages of support.

On X, Olympic rowing great Sir Matthew Pinsent said his thoughts were with Sir Chris and his family, describing him as “one of the finest to ever represent our country”.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said Sir Chris was “inspirational”, telling Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips: “I’m just in awe, actually, of how he is dealing with that, because I’m not sure how I would react in the same situation.”

The former track cyclist is an 11-time world champion, and competed for Great Britain at four Olympic Games between 2000 and 2012.

He won his first Olympic medal in Sydney in 2000, a silver in the team sprint – the “Olympic Sprint” – before he won his first gold in Athens in 2004.

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But it was at the Beijing Games were he rose to international prominence, winning three gold medals in 2008, and becoming Scotland’s most successful Olympian.

After winning a further two golds at London 2012, he cemented his place in the history books after taking his total to the second-most Olympic gold medals of all British athletes.

He was awarded a knighthood in the 2009 New Year Honours List and won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2008.