Rugby Gareth loves tackling The Jump
THE JUMP’s reputation for crocked celebs has seen it dubbed the most dangerous show on TV. But rugby star Gareth Thomas says he’s not scared of taking part – because his body is already a “car crash”.
The retired Welsh hero goes head-to-head with 13 other daredevils, including former Olympic cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins, model Caprice and former England footballer Robbie Fowler, in tonight’s new series.
They will compete in dozens of ski competitions, while also trying to avoid a stint in hospital.
But Gareth, 42, says nothing in The Jump can be as perilous as his 20 years playing rugby.
“I should be on the scrap heap by now,” he laughs, speaking from Austria where he has been training for the past month. “Virtually every bone from my neck down has been broken, dislocated or fractured.
“I can’t sleep on my sides because my shoulders are so wrecked they’d end up dislocated again.
Bruises
“I’m not complaining though. I knew the hazards when I signed up to be a rugby player.”
Gareth, who retired from professional rugby in 2011, thought twice about accepting the Channel 4 show. He recalls: “Of course I had reservations when I was first asked to take part. But nothing can be more dangerous than what I’ve already been through.
“This is a far softer version of what I did for so long. It’s a chance to be competitive – something I’ve missed since retiring from rugby.”
Last year the Channel 4 ski competition faced calls for it to be axed after seven serious injuries. The worst was Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle, who fractured two vertebrae, had back surgery and needed a psychologist to help her overcome the trauma.
Show bosses carried out a thorough health and safety review for this year. Gareth said: “It’s been a month of training and so far there have been falls and bruises but no real injuries. There are more medics than contestants, at least that’s how it feels.”
In 2009 Gareth announced he was a gay and split from his wife Jemma. He has been dating boyfriend Ian Baum for several years but marriage is not on the cards for now. Has loved blossomed on the ski slopes? “Not really,” jokes Gareth. “Although I do flirt with Bradley Wiggins all the time. I like to undress him with my eyes and he loves it.”