Louis Smith has joined the forthcoming series of ‘The Jump’.
The 27-year-old Olympic gymnast was slapped with a two-month ban from the sport last month after he offended some Muslims in a video he posted online but it seems the incident hasn’t stopped him from snapping up work as he’s been asked to take part in the gruelling winter sports competition , filmed on the Austrian slopes, next month.
Speaking to The Sun newspaper, he said: "I’ve had some ups and downs in 2016 so am massively looking forward to getting stuck into ‘The Jump’.
"As a professional athlete I’m massively competitive. I love skiing and I’m pretty fearless when it comes to any snow sports so can’t wait to get out there."
The hunky star – who piled on the pounds when he temporarily retired from gymnastics two years ago – is also hoping the competition will help keep him in shape.
A source told the publication: "It gives him something to do during his suspension and means he can stay in shape while getting paid for his troubles."
And Louis isn’t the first Olympian to take part in the dangerous competition as his former team mate Beth Tweddle also did it last year but, despite her impressive skills on the ice, it didn’t end well for the gymnast as she broke her back and had to pull out.
Rebecca Adlington – who won gold in the swimming at the Olympics in 2008 – also agreed to slip on her thermals and hit the slopes last January but it ended for sorrow for her too as she dislocated her shoulder and is still battling with the repercussions.
Despite the injuries sustained in the last series, it hasn’t stopped celebrities signing up to do the show, as this year will see Vogue Williams, Lydia Bright and Spencer Matthews go head-to-head on the slopes as they attempt to lift the trophy in February.
Louis Smith to do The Jump
