Dancing On Ice’s Greg Rutherford opens up on terrifying hospital dash that left him ‘trying to rip his own skin off’
GREG Rutherford has told of the terrifying moment he tried to ";rip off his own skin" after suffering an allergic reaction.
The Olympian, 36, ended up in hospital when a painful rash mysteriously spread across his body, leaving him fearing the worst.
Now as he gets stuck into training for Dancing on Ice, dad-of-three Greg has opened up about his health fears.
"That allergic reaction was one of the worst experiences of my life," Greg told The Sun, as he launches Petits Filous' Vitamin D-elivery campaign.
"Speaking to the doctors afterwards was really frustrating because they said, unless it happens again and you can pinpoint what it is, it's really difficult to find what you're allergic to.
"Interestingly, I had been stung by a wasp twice about ten days before. Apparently it can sit dormant in your system after it's gone away and other things can bring out a reaction, so it might have been that.
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"That's the only thing that was different in my diet and in what I was doing, but equally it is a bit of a mystery, and at the time it was such a scary, awful time. It was the worst sort of physical experience I've ever had in my life.
"I stayed as calm as I possibly could, but I'll be honest, I was trying to rip my skin off at one point. It was really, really dreadful.
"I'm very much not wanting to come into contact with a wasp at the moment."
Greg is now working hard to keep in tip top shape after being announced as part of Dancing on Ice's star-studded line-up.
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He's already lost 11lbs after focusing on his diet and training to prepare for rehearsals.
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That's despite his co-star Stephen Lustig-Webb being forced to withdraw just a week into training after breaking his ankle.
Clearly not afraid of injury, health-conscious Greg is now focused on avoiding illness during the sniffle season spike.
Like most parents, Greg's biggest worry this time of year is trying to battle work commitments when illness strikes his family - with an average of 2.5 illnesses every month during the autumn period.
He's joined forces with kids’ yoghurt favourite, Petits Filous to empower parents to maintain their children’s immunity.
Greg and his team of first-ever ‘Vitamin D-elivery drivers’ have embarked on a mission to distribute delicious yoghurt pots to families across London during the challenging sickness season.
Dad of three, Greg, commented: "The autumn months can be tough as a parent – it can feel like someone in the family is continually under the weather, and when the kids fall sick, it’s especially tough.
"My son, Rex, was ill just the other week and wiped us all out with him! As an athlete, I know how important it is to eat a nutritious and balanced diet to support my immune system, which is why I try to make sure my kids do the same.
"Look, I'm about to perform at a show in a couple of months' time. I don't want to be getting ready for the show and feel very unwell.
"I want to make sure my family can fight off any illnesses the children may bring home.
“Taste is a huge factor - my kids won’t touch anything they don’t like, which is why snacks like Petits Filous are such a staple in our household.
"The children can eat something they enjoy, whilst I’m reassured in the knowledge they’re full of goodness and include immune contributing nutrients such as vitamin D - helping to keep our house sniffle free!”
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During half term, families can get their hands on 10,000 free Petits Filous at Westfield Shepherds Bush on Wednesday, October 25th and at The Trafford Centre on Thursday, October 26th to help parents maintain immunity during the season of sickness.
- Greg Rutherford is working with kids' yoghurt favourite, Petits Filous, to help parents maintain their children’s immunity during the autumn months. During half term, if families visit Westfield Shepherds Bush on 25th October & The Trafford Centre on 26th October, kids will be able to enjoy Petits Filous pots which are fortified with vitamin D* to help maintain immunity during peak germ weeks.
