Davina McCall reveals The Jump contestants will get extra training after string of injuries in last series

DAVINA McCall has revealed The Jump contestants will now have "a long period" of extra training after a string of shocking injuries in the last series.

Everyone from former Olympian Rebecca Adlington to gymnast Beth Tweddle and Holby City actress Tina Hobley were forced to quit earlier this year after injuring themselves on the slopes.

Furious viewers called for stricter safety precautions following the many broken bones and muscle injuries, and now host Davina has insisted the next batch of stars will be given further training.

Appearing on Lorraine today, she said: "This year we’ve got them out for a very long period before they start filming."

She added: "There is tonnes of training."

Rushing to defend the show, she told the daytime TV show host: "If you think of the chance of a little sprain in a week’s holiday – they are out there for eight weeks.

"But they’re very brave."

The Channel 4 programme has become known as the hardest celebrity reality show on the TV, after a number of famous faces were forced to withdraw.

The last season saw seven of the 12 contestants withdrawing due to injury – with former Olympic runner Linford Christie pulling out with a hamstring injuryand actress Tina Hobley dislocating her elbow.

Meanwhile Olympic gymnast Beth Tweddle suffered a back injury which lead to her needing surgery to fuse two vertebrae together using a piece of her hip bone.