Joe McElderry wins Channel 4's The Jump

Former X Factor winner Joe McElderry has been crowned the champion of Channel 4's winter sports contest The Jump.

The singer jumped to victory, beating journalist Donal MacIntyre into second place in a final programme that had 15 minutes shaved off due to the other two finalists - Sir Steve Redgrave and comedian Marcus Brigstocke - having to pull out because of injury.

Sir Steve was close to tears in the scenes capturing the moment he took the decision to pull out after being left in agony during training, with his rivals also nursing a variety of bumps.

The Olympic gold medallist took a further tumble during a practice run this morning - after previously breaking a bone in his hand - and decided he could not carry on in the series, which has been beset by accidents that caused competitors to pull out.

In a further headache for programme bosses, fellow contestant Marcus had to be treated for an injury to his knee, which was strapped up in a splint.

He too was unable to take part in the show's ski jump finale, which was broadcast live from Innsbruck in Austria.

It meant the other two finalists Joe and Donal were left to fight it out between them, even though they too had been struggling on the slopes, with Joe lucky to escape without injury during a skiing heat.

 

The latest dramas came as the remaining four stars were tackling the last of their challenges - 'ski cross', in which competitors race down a slope featuring a number of tricky bumps and obstacles.

 

Sir Steve had been cleared to take part after he was left with bruising and a fracture after an incident last week that led to him missing a live show.

 

But as he tackled the course in a training run, he became hesitant about a large jump and as he manoeuvred to avoid it the rowing champion had a fall.

 

As he headed to the conveyor belt to try the course again, he decided he was not up to continuing in the contest and was emotional as he announced he was out of the show.

 

Sir Steve was barely able to fight back the tears as he spoke to The Jump team after pulling out. As he struggled to compose himself on camera, he said he was 'gutted' to have to leave the contest, adding: "I love my skiing, I love the show. I want to give my all - unfortunately I gave a little too much three days ago. That's it."

 

Later there was further injury as Marcus hurt his leg while racing Donal and Joe in the heat itself. The comedian was said to have 'popped' his knee as he tackled the jump on the course and had to be treated by the programme's medical team.

 

Viewers of the programme have seen several contestants pull out of the programme due to their bumps. Socialite Henry Conway broke a bone in his hand and Melinda Messenger had to withdraw as a result of concussion suffered on the bobsleigh track.

 

It was Henry's withdrawal that led to a jump-off between Joe and Donal who were reserves for the programme.

 

 

On Monday, Joe jumped distances of 15m and 17.5m, beating MacIntyre's 12m and 13.5m.

 

The singer said his time on the show has been 'absolutely incredible', and joked that the group became great friends through 'sheer fear'.

 

 

 

Patrick McLennan

Patrick McLennan is a London-based journalist and documentary maker who has worked as a writer, sub-editor, digital editor and TV producer in the UK and New Zealand. His CV includes spells as a news producer at the BBC and TVNZ, as well as web editor for Time Inc UK. He has produced TV news and entertainment features on personalities as diverse as Nick Cave, Tom Hardy, Clive James, Jodie Marsh and Kevin Bacon and he co-produced and directed The Ponds, which has screened in UK cinemas, BBC Four and is currently available on Netflix. 


An entertainment writer with a diverse taste in TV and film, he lists Seinfeld, The Sopranos, The Chase, The Thick of It and Detectorists among his favourite shows, but steers well clear of most sci-fi.