SLEIGHING SAFE
Joey’s RoboCop padding for T V danger show
Chloe Madeley
JOEY Essex shows what he’s made of in RoboCop-style armour as he prepares to throw himself down bob-sleigh runs and off ski jumps. The former TOWIE favourite, who has never skied before, was taking no chances in training for the new series of Channel 4’s The Jump.
Strictly Come Dancing’s Ola Jordan, 32, and politician’s wife Sally Bercow, 45, have already pulled out of the gruelling contest with injuries while filming in Austria.
But Joey’s extra padding has come a bit too late.
The 24-year-old hunk said last week: “I had a bad fall the other day. I had to go to hospital. I’ve hurt my ligaments in my ankle.
“If I’d broken a bone I’d be like, ‘Oh my God, what am I going to do?’ I really don’t want to go home early.
Hard
“That’s the scary thing about this competition – once you’re injured, you’re automatically out.
“It’s bad but I’m getting physio every day. It’s on the mend.”
Joey is one of 12 celebrities bidding to be crowned champion of The Jump, which starts on telly next month.
Choreographer Louie Spence, 45, who is confident about his chances despite a hard landing on his backside, said: “I’m not scared of anything. I don’t feel fear.”
Others taking the risk include Chloe Madeley, 27-year-old daughter of TV’s Richard and Judy, Sir Paul McCartney’s ex- wife Heather Mills, 47, Olympic heptathlon star Louise Hazel, 29, and Jackass comedian Steve-O, 40.
X-Factor star Stacey Solomon, 25, who had three ski trips as a child, said: “I love that feeling of being a little bit scared and just going for it anyway.”