Gareth Thomas withdraws from The Jump due to ‘personal reasons’

BROKEN bones and strained ligaments are the usual reasons for celebs pulling out of injury-ridden ski show The Jump.

But I can reveal that former rugby player GARETH THOMAS has withdrawn from the Channel 4 series due to mysterious “personal reasons”.

The sportsman quit just days before Sunday’s final where he was due to be up against SPENCER MATTHEWS, LOUIS SMITH, KADEENA COX, EMMA PARKER BOWLES, JASON ROBINSON and AMY WILLERTON.

He has been replaced by Towie star LYDIA BRIGHT who was eliminated in the semis.

A source revealed: “Gareth was devastated to have to leave. He’s had the time of his life and thought he was in with a shot of winning.

“He’s left due to personal reasons and has travelled back home from Austria to be with his family.

“Lydia was obviously gutted to hear that Gareth had to quit but she’s thrilled to be back in the competition as his replacement.”

Gareth is the fourth celebrity to withdraw from this year’s series. Model CAPRICE suffered a mystery illness, Olympian BRADLEY WIGGINS broke his leg and VOGUE WILLIAMS had to be replaced by fellow model Amy before an episode even aired. Made in Chelsea’s Spencer carried on despite injury.

Last year’s series saw seven celebrities withdraw.

Gareth has been great on the show so I’m sad to see him leave.

We’ve gong talent

ANT AND DEC will have to extend their mantelpieces after all the awards they have won.

The Geordie duo picked up their 16th Best Presenter gong in a row at January’s National Television Awards.

Now the pair, pictured here filming the latest series of Britain’s Got Talent, are up for two Royal Television Society Programme Awards, for I’m A Celebrity and Saturday Night Takeaway.

Corrie bosses will be upset to miss out on a Soap nod, with EastEnders, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks nominated.

And 2015 Bake Off winner NADIYA HUSSAIN is up for the Breakthrough award at the March 21 bash in London.

Bake Off Jane’s on the rise

BAKE Off finalist JANE BEEDLE has landed a new baking series on ITV’s Lorraine show.

The slot will be called Jane’s Spring Bakes and Jane will make her debut on tomorrow morning’s programme.

She said: “I’m so excited about the series and delighted to be sharing my family recipes – the perfect bakes to brighten up springtime.

“I’ll be making cakes, sweet and savoury tarts and also a gluten-free raspberry roulade.

“All are delicious, tasty and a feast for the eyes.”

I can’t wait to be there for the next tasting session.

Night’s new day

THE Night Manager was such a success for the Beeb that bosses are planning a shock second series – though there is no sequel book.

Writers are working on a script based on the characters created by author JOHN LE CARRÉ. Stars TOM HIDDLESTON and OLIVIA COLMAN are both expected to resume their roles as spooks.

The BBC, which is also making a series of Le Carre’s classic novel The Spy Who Came in From The Cold, will team up with US channel AMC to make the show next year.

I bet producers make Tom flash his bum again.