Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards won't be on the commentary team on The Jump after Channel 4 says its made an 'editorial decision' to drop him
Former Olympic ski jumper Eddie 'The Eagle' Edwards has been cut from The Jump commentary team by Channel 4.
The TV channel said his axing was an 'editorial decision', but he recently raised concerns about the safety of the celebrity alpine competition.
In recent years a number of stars have been hospitalised after hurting themselves on the show. The worst included actress Tina Hobley (disclocated shoulder, broken arm, ruptured ligaments) and gymnast Beth Tweddle (spinal inury).
Eddie told the Cheltenham Literature Festival audience in October that Channel 4 bosses had ignored his advice and he was surprised to learn that the show was returning for a fourth series given the casualties in 2016.
He said: "I kept telling the producers, ‘It’s going to get very difficult, very hairy’ and they said, ‘No it’s all right’ and they’ve carried on and they’ve had so many accidents. I was very surprised that they’re going to have another series."
Channel 4 says there has been a 'thorough review of safety procedures' before this year's series, which is due to start in late January.
Competitors on this series include cycling legend Sir Bradley Wiggins, rugby stars Jason Robinson and Gareth Thomas, models Vogue Williams and Caprice and gymnast Louis Smith.
