The Jump: Majority of celebrities left injured or hospitalised causes urgent safety review
Seven out of 12 contestants have been injured, hospitalised or forced to pull out of the skiing show so far
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Your support makes all the difference.The Jump is undergoing an urgent safety review after viewers called for it to be axed amid the growing number of casualties.
Seven out of 12 celebrities have been injured during the reality TV skiing contest in just two episodes, prompting complaints from those watching from the comfort of their sofas.
Channel 4 has announced that it is looking into safety procedures for what some have called “the most dangerous show on television” after a new course was added for 2016.
Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle had to have a “very scary” emergency operation after fracturing her vertebrae in training, forcing her to pull out with a potentially life-changing injury. Tweddle’s surgery is believed to have been a success, with her parents confirming hat she is now able to “move her hands and feet”. She followed Olympic swimmer Rebecca Adlington and Holby City actress Tina Hobley into hospital, after they dislocated their shoulder and elbow respectively.
The Jump puts celebrities through their alpine paces, with the worst performing of the bunch forced to compete in a sky jump described as being the “height of three double decker buses”.
Channel 4 has repeatedly been forced to defend it, emphasising that 46 celebrities have so far emerged unscathed across three series but admitting that there is an “element of risk” in its nature.
“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 rigorous training to prepare for the show,” a spokesperson said.
“All winter sports carry some form of risk but in light of the number of injuries this year, Channel 4 has asked producers to review safety procedures again to further reduce the prospects of accident.”
Olympian Linford Christie, EastEnders’ Louisa Lytton and Sid Owen, The Only Way is Essex’s James ‘Arg’ Argent and Made in Chelsea’s Mark-Francis Vandelli have also been injured to varying degrees so far this series.
The Wanted singer Tom Parker and charity campaigner Heather Mills have stepped in as replacements.
Media regulator Ofcom is assessing whether to formally investigate The Jump after 12 people officially complained, with many more voicing their concern on social media.
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