I jumped at the chance
Appear on the most dangerous show on telly?
For me, it was a matter of when I appeared on the show, not if
IT’S been dubbed the most dangerous show on TV.
Previous contestants have broken arms, ruptured knee ligaments and suffered neck injuries that sparked fears of paralysis.
So, as one of Britain’s elite athletes with more Olympic glory in his sights, what was gymnast Louis Smith’s response when The Jump came calling?
“I told them to sign me up,” Louis, 27, told The Sunday Post as the new series of the Channel 4 show starts next week.
“I’ve wanted to do it for the past two years but I’ve just not been able to find the time. For me it was a matter of when I got on the show, not if.
“I’ve always done extreme sports and I love that adrenaline rush, pushing myself to the limit.
“I’ve faced potential injury for the past 20-plus years training for gymnastics so I wasn’t put off by the previous injuries at all. The thought that you could get hurt is nothing new to me.”
Peril on snowy slopes isn’t new to double Olympic medal-winner Louis either, as he revealed he broke his thumb on the first day of his first-ever skiing holiday.
“I got plastered up and was back on the slopes the next day. I just love skiing so this isn’t going to faze me at all.”
Among last year’s dramatic Jump injuries was Beth Tweddle, who fractured vertebrae in her back.
And Louis revealed he’d had a heartto-heart with his fellow gymnast before heading to the Austrian mountains to train for the show that is now going to be screened daily.
“I spoke to Beth and she gave me some tips,” confirmed former Strictly champion Louis. “She gave me advice on what to do on the skeleton and told me I’d love it. She didn’t try to put me off at all and said I’d be great at it, being a gymnast.”
Following the catalogue of injuries on the previous three series, there had been speculation that it wouldn’t return.
Fashion writer Henry Conway, 33, who broke his hand in 2015, called for the show to be banned.
And former Olympic ski jumper Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards was axed from his commentary role after voicing concerns. He said he’d told producers that things were “going to get very difficult, very hairy” and that he was surprised it was coming back for a new series.
Changes have been introduced to reduce the risks and Louis insisted he felt more than comfortable everything possible was being done to keep him safe.
“From the moment we arrived at the hotel they sat us down and explained everything.
“They told us about the coaches, the safety procedures, the medical set-up. We get a safety run-through every day and there are doctors everywhere.
“You do feel as safe as possible. You’re doing 50mph on giant slaloms and jumping 20 metres down the slopes off a jump 60 feet in the air. So there’s only so safe you can be. But I feel everything is here to just let you enjoy it.
“There’s no doubt I’ll pick up a bit of a sore one here and there but I don’t want to be wrapped up in cotton wool. I want a bit of rough and tumble.
“If you sign up and think you’re not going to fall over and it’s going to be all daisies and poppies and sunshine, you’ve signed up to the wrong show.”
Louis revealed he’d been asked to do all the other major reality shows after winning Strictly.
“I’m not interested in just doing something for a reality star fame boost,” said Louis, who will be back into his gymnastic training in April with the long-term goal of competing in the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
“I want a challenge and to learn and nothing else appeals. I’d love to get to the final so I can do all the events, and if I get there I will want to win it.”