Stem cell jabs for Dancing on Ice Colin
DANCING On Ice star Colin Jackson is to undergo stem cell treatment for crippling leg injuries, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.
The two-time 110-metre hurdles world champion was left with severely damaged knees following his lengthy track career and will begin therapy this week in a final bid to avoid replacement surgery.
The 53-year-old has to take painkillers before he skates, saying: ‘I’m in constant pain but you learn to live with it. I’ve got the body of a man in his mid-30s but the knees of a man in his mid-80s.
‘I’ve had seven operations on my knees already – four on the right knee and three on the left – and I can’t face any more.
‘Stem cell therapy is definitely the last roll of the dice to avoid knee-replacement surgery. I’m praying for a miracle because I don’t want to end up in a wheelchair or with artificial knees.’
Jackson, who was runner-up in the 2005 series of Strictly Come Dancing, added: ‘I don’t believe my knees will hamper my progress on the show. I’m in pain every day whether I’m on the show or not.
‘My knees lock up after long car journeys and getting in and out of the bath can get awkward, but once I get going I can still compete.’
But his family is less keen on the TV contests. He said: ‘My sister has made me promise this is the last time I do a show like this.’
The BBC commentator, who has back problems, will have one million stem cells injected into each knee and more via an IV drip.
A preliminary session for the £25,000 course of treatment will take place in Harley Street.
Dr Aamer Khan, who is treating him, said: ‘Colin’s condition will get worse if untreated.’