Former The Jump contestant Louise Hazel tells athletes to quit competition before they get hurt

'It’s not a matter of will you get hurt? It’s a case of when'

Notorious TV talent show, The Jump, is gearing up for its next series, with the likes of Sir Bradley Wiggins, Lydia Bright and Louis Smith taking part in the Channel 4 show later this month.

Former contestant and Olympic gold medalist, Louise Hazel, has spoken out against the show, warning that future contestants are in danger of getting seriously injured.

Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, as picked up by The Huffington Post, she candidly spoke about the controversial programme, advising celebrities “to withdraw from the competition”.

Hazel said: “Pure and simply because going into The Jump, you know there are going to be risks. It’s not a matter of will you get hurt? Yes, you will! It’s a case of ‘when’, and there are varying degrees of severity of the type of injuries you have on the show.

“I walked away with a whiplash injury - which means that my neck doesn’t have the same range of movement that it had before competing in the show.”

Last year, the likes of Tina Hobley, Beth Tweedle, and Mark-Francis Vandelli were all forced to quit the show after sustaining heavy injuries.

Speaking about Sir Bradley Wiggins surprising addition to this series cast, Hazel said it was “OK” for retired athletes to “take a risk now”.

She explained: “We’ve been held back from doing all of these things we’ve wanted to do, motorbikes and car racing and go-karting and skiing. But for those athletes still in sport, focus on next year’s training and get through that.

“This could quite easily turn into a career-ending injury for those who have the intention of going on to compete in the next Olympics or the next world championship or European championship.”

Hazel added that The Jump should suit athletes down to the ground, being a thrilling competition that involves some risk, but advised finding a safer sport.

Other celebrities that will be taking part in 2017 include gold medallists Jade Jones MBE (Taekwondo) and Kadeena Cox MBE, who won for both sprinting and cycling at the 2016 Paralympics. The full list can be read here.