BEN Cohen has been crowned champion of The Jump 2016 following a
nail-biting final.
The former rugby player jumped a whopping record-breaking 18.25m to clinch the
title beating Dean Cain’s 17.70m and sending Superman home in second place,
while favourite Tom Parker only managed 16.55m.
After being announced the winner Cohen hugged his fellow finalists Dean and
Tom Parker before he collected his cowbell trophy draped in a Union Jack
flag.
The 37-year-old was the first celebrity to make the final after winning the
ruthless ski cross.
He battled his fellow finalists at the snow cross and did his first ever jump
live to take home the trophy.
He said: “It felt scary. For me just to be able to land a jump after what
I’ve been through and coming through late.”
He was supported by his girlfriend Kristina Rihanoff, 38, who took took to
Twitter to congratulate him on his win.
She said: “Here he is !! The champion @RugbyBenCohen #TheJump2016
@Channel4.”
The pair, who met on Strictly Come Dancing, are expecting their first child
together.
His road to success was not easy after he needed 20 stitches and lost two
teeth after crash-landing during training for the Channel 4 show.
Ben joined the show later after he was drafted in as a replacement after a
spate of injured celebrities.
He said: “You make it that far, of course you want to win and being the
underdog is one of the best places to be in.”
He was criticised by some of the other competitors including Tamara Beckwith
and Sid Owen for his competitiveness as well as dirty tactics during the
earlier races.
He had tried to take out The Wanted’s Tom Parker during the snow cross.
Sid said: “Ben’s only tactic in this race is to try and take everyone
down. He’s very rough. You can try and knock him down. He’s too much of a
big lump for The Jump.”
Last girl standing, Tamara, 45, failed to be the first woman to win The Jump
after finishing fifth while actor Sid Owen was thrilled to finish fourth.
The series has been hit with plenty of controversy over the last few weeks
after a total of seven celebrities were forced to pull out with injuries.
There was also criticism as two of the five finalists joined the contest late.
Olympic gymnast Beth
Tweddle was left in a career-threatening condition after she landed
badly during a ski jump in training.
She was air-lifted to hospital and it was later revealed she had undergone
emergency surgery after doctors discovered she had fractured two vertebrae
in her back, leaving her unable to walk for over a week.
Elsewhere, Tina
Hobley shattered her arm, Mark-Francis
Vandelli broke his ankle and Sarah
Harding tore ligaments in her elbow.
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The Jump final
The champion follows in the tracks of last year’s winner Joey Essex and series
one victor Joe McElderry
However, the show won’t be returning next year as The
Sun revealed Channel 4 have axed it amid tumbling viewing figures.
Last week’s semi final attracted a mere 1.6million viewers, with bosses
ultimately deciding the soaring costs and number of injuries were not
worthwhile.