Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle has been forced to pull out of The Jump after a serious back injury saw her rushed to hospital.
The 30-year-old perfectly executed a jump during training but crashed in to a barrier on landing.
A Channel 4 spokeswoman confirmed that Beth had been taken to hospital with a back injury but declined to comment on reports she would need surgery.
“The health and safety of the competitors is always paramount and Beth was immediately taken to hospital for treatment after hurting herself during training,” the spokeswoman said.
Beth Tweddle (Channel 4)
Beth is the latest star to be injured in the winter sports competition.
Rebecca Adlington has also pulled out the competition (Ian Derry/Channel 4)
Her exit follows that of fellow Olympian Rebecca Adlington, 26, who withdrew from the show on medical advice after a shoulder injury, and Holby City actress Tina Hobley, 44, who dislocated her elbow and suffered two fractures to her arm.
Rebecca will be replaced by former contestant Heather Mills, who was knocked out in the first round in 2015 and was forced to compete in a unfamiliar prosthetic limb after breaking hers during training.
Heather, the former wife of Sir Paul McCartney, said: “I am overjoyed to be asked back by Channel 4 to join the competitors on The Jump, as I always felt it was unfinished business.
Heather Mills (Todd Anthony/Channel 4)
“Finishing second overall in the only event I got to compete in, The Skeleton, and having to jump wearing someone else’s foot, was pretty bad luck. I never even got to compete in skiing.
“I know I can do much better, and I am working with my prosthetist (Abdo Haidar of The London Prosthetic Centre) to create a foot that has more movement like a human’s.”
Rebecca said she was “so sad to be leaving on injury”.
Sadly we are not able to jump!!!TheJumpC4 @BeckAdlington @louisalytton .. BUT we are able to prop up the bar!! pic.twitter.com/DACxNEoNbv
— Tina Hobley (@TinaHobley) February 5, 2016
She said: “I’m so proud of myself with the challenges I have overcome, from skeleton to jumping and learning how to ski. I’m very grateful to have met the most incredible people as well. It was so difficult but so much fun at the same time.”
Tina will be replaced by The Wanted’s Tom Parker. A replacement for Beth has not yet been announced.
The Jump continues tonight on Channel 4, 7.30pm
