Channel 4 jump to the headlines as celeb injuries soar

Channel 4’s celebrity winter sports show, The Jump has hit the headlines after a number of contestants were forced to withdraw due to injury.

Former Olympic athletes including gymnast Beth Tweddle, swimmer Rebecca Adlington and actress Tina Hobley were all hospitalised in a series of injuries.

This isn’t the first season where contestants have been injured, last year former Strictly Come Dancing professional Ola Jordan, suffered serious leg injuries.

With calls from viewers at home and the media for the show to be axed, a Channel 4 spokeswoman said “The Jump is now in its third series and since launch 46 celebrities have taken part successfully. Though it is a new course the events have been designed to be no more difficult than in previous years and all contributors have undertaken a rigorous training programme to prepare them for the show.

She continued “All winter sports carry some element of risk but in light of the number of injuries this year, Channel 4 has asked the producers to review safety procedures again to further reduce the prospect of accident.”

Citation’s Head of Health & Safety, Alastair Hall said “It is clear that there are a number of hazards that are present in the show and that these have caused a number of injuries to the contestants. The show needs to review their risk assessments to ensure that further controls are put in place to reduce the future risk of injury. This may include additional training or changing the course to reduce the risks posed to the contestants.”

The programme is still scheduled to air and concerns regarding Health & Safety remain at the top of social media discussions.