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Greg Rutherford has spoken about the “horribly painful” injury that caused him to miss the Dancing On Ice final almost two weeks ago.

The 37-year-old Olympian announced he had “effectively [given himself] a C-section” when he tore his abdominal muscles after sliding through the legs of professional skaters Brendyn Hatfield and Colin Grafton.

He withdrew on the morning of the final of the ITV show after being injured in rehearsals on 10 March.

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'Dancing on Ice' TV Show, Series 16, Episode 7, Hertfordshire, UK - 25 Feb 2024
Greg Rutherford and Vanessa James

25 Feb 2024
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Mr Rutherford and his ice skating partner Vanessa James had to pull out of the final. Pic: Kieron McCarron/ITV/Shutterstock


Mr Rutherford shared the news on Instagram saying his “horribly painful” injury would be operated on “today” (21 March).

“I’ve been a bit busy and obviously just recovering from the initial injury before I had the surgery that I hadn’t got round to really talking about it,” he said, as he walked in the woods with his dogs and partner Susie Verrill, 35.

“Long story short, I leapt through the legs of Brendyn and Colin and managed to tear all of my abs as well as herniate. So I effectively gave myself a C-section.”

Rutherford, who was second favourite going into the final, also showed fans the moment he sustained the injury on the rink.

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“It was horribly painful,” he added. “It needs to be operated on today and then I’ll be properly on the mend.”

Greg Rutherford skating injury. Pic: Instagram
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The moment of the injury. Pic: Instagram

With the former long-jumper unable to perform with professional partner Vanessa James, it was left to Made In Chelsea star Miles Nazaire, broadcaster Adele Roberts and soap star Ryan Thomas to battle it out for the title.

In the end, it was Thomas, and his skating partner Amani Fancy, who were crowned champions of the 2024 series, for a dramatic warrior-themed routine and their interpretation of Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean’s famous Bolero.

In his winner’s speech Thomas dedicated the trophy to Rutherford, who had been top of the leaderboard before disaster struck.

Rutherford congratulated the former Coronation Street actor on his “spectacular” win.

“Well done, brother, I’m glad I’ve got a friend for life in you,” he had said, adding: “He’s had his fair share of ups and downs during his process, so to come out winning is utterly spectacular.”

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Before retiring from athletics in 2018 due to an ankle injury, Rutherford won a gold medal in the long jump at the London 2012 Olympic Games. He also claimed bronze at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

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Googlebox star George Gilbey’s mum reveals his last words to her before he fell to his death

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Googlebox star George Gilbey's mum reveals his last words to her before he fell to his death

The mother of Gogglebox star George Gilbey has revealed his last words to her were “I love you”.

Gilbey died after falling through a plastic skylight while fixing a warehouse roof in Essex in March.

The 40-year-old appeared alongside his mum, Linda McGarry, and stepdad on the hit Channel 4 show.

The family first appeared on the second series of Gogglebox in 2013 but were dropped the following year when Gilbey signed up for the 14th series of Celebrity Big Brother in 2014, reaching the final.

Mrs McGarry said she spoke to him on the phone hours before his death.

Linda and Pete McGarry. Pic: PA
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Gilbey appeared alongside his mum Linda and stepdad Pete on Gogglebox. Pic: PA

She told The Sun: “He phoned me at 9.30 in the morning and said he was working – and asked me for his ‘breakfast money’.

“I put £30 in his account so he could get food, and he seemed fine.

“He had a drink the night before, and liked a bottle of white wine or two, but was happy that he was working. He ended the phone call by saying, ‘I love you’ like he usually did. I treasure those words.”

She added: “It was an honour for him to have been my son. We had a blast for 40 years.”

Mrs McGarry said her son had struggled with the death of his dad, stepfather and her own Parkinson’s diagnosis.

At the time of his death, he was working to save money to move closer to his seven-year-old daughter, Amelie, in southwest London.

“He wanted to be with Amelie, who he adored,” she told The Sun.

“They were on the third day of a job that was going to last a month, and he was going to get money together from that.

“When they were together, George and Amelie were always laughing. She is going to miss him terribly, like we all will.”

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Gilbey suffered traumatic injuries to his head and torso and died at the scene in Shoeburyness.

An inquest was opened last week but suspended after a request from police pending a criminal investigation.

A man in his 40s from the Witham area of Essex was previously arrested on suspicion of gross negligence manslaughter

He was later released under investigation.

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Bestselling author CJ Sansom dies days before Disney adaption of his Shardlake series airs

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Bestselling author CJ Sansom dies days before Disney adaption of his Shardlake series airs

Author CJ Sansom, who created the character of Matthew Shardlake, has died at the age of 71, his publisher has announced.

Sansom first introduced readers to Shardlake – a lawyer who solves crimes while navigating the religious reforms and political intrigue of Tudor England – in the 2003 book Dissolution.

The Scottish writer released six further novels featuring Shardlake, as well as two standalone historical novels, Winter In Madrid and Dominion.

His works have just been adapted into the series Shardlake, which features The Innocents star Arthur Hughes as the main character and Game Of Thrones actor Sean Bean as Thomas Cromwell.

The first season of the Tudor murder mystery series is set to be released by Disney+ on Wednesday.

CJ Sansom
Pic: Pan Macmillian/PA
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Sansom was described as one of Britain’s best historical novelists. Pic: Pan Macmillian/PA

Announcing his death on Monday, publishers Pan Macmillan wrote in a statement: “It is with immense sadness that Pan Macmillan announces the death of CJ Sansom.”

“‘It is an extraordinarily strange coincidence that Chris has died only a handful of days before a new generation of fans will meet Matthew Shardlake, Barak and Guy and co for the first time through,” his agent, Antony Topping, said.

“This is also a moment for which Chris’s established fans have been waiting a long time.

“Chris was so proud of all the work and determination that went into bringing the novels to our television screens, which I hope will bring an entirely new audience to the books and which will maybe also inspire some old fans to return to their favourite CJ Sansom novels.”

Sansom’s long-time editor and publisher, Maria Rejt, added that he was working on a new Shardlake book but his “worsening health made progress painfully slow”.

Pic: Disney+ UK
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Arthur Hughes as protagonist Matthew Shardlake. Pic: Disney+ UK

She described the author as an “intensely private person” who took immense pleasure in the public’s enthusiastic response to his novels.

“I shall miss him hugely, not only as a wonderfully talented writer who gave joy to millions, but as a dear friend of enormous compassion and integrity,” Ms Rejt said.

Shardlake featured as the protagonist in a total of seven of Sansom’s novels. Dissolution was dramatised once before by BBC Radio 4 in 2012.

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Pic: Disney+ UK
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Sean Bean stars in the new series based off Sansom’s debut novel. Pic: Disney+ UK

With more than three million copies of his novels in print, Sansom was awarded the Crime Writers’ Association Cartier Diamond Dagger Award in 2022 for his outstanding contribution to the genre.

Born in Edinburgh in 1952, Sansom attended Birmingham University where he studied an undergraduate degree and PhD in history.

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He worked as a solicitor before becoming a full-time writer where he was able to combine his passion for history and law securing him as one of Britain’s bestselling historical novelists.

Sansom was also a signatory to an 2014 open letter advocating that Scotland should remain in the UK.

The author also donated £161,000 to the Better Together campaign, according to published accounts.

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Rageh Omaar says he was ‘determined to finish presenting programme’ after becoming unwell live on air

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Rageh Omaar says he was 'determined to finish presenting programme' after becoming unwell live on air

ITV News broadcaster Rageh Omaar has said he was “determined to finish presenting the programme” after returning home following hospital treatment.

Viewers expressed concern about the 56-year-old presenter after he appeared to fall “unwell” live on air during News At Ten on Friday night.

In a statement shared by ITV News, Omaar said: “I would like to thank everyone for their kindness and good wishes, especially all the medical staff, all my wonderful colleagues at ITV News, and our viewers who expressed concern.

“At the time, I was determined to finish presenting the programme. I am grateful for all the support I’ve been given.”

An ITV News spokesperson said he was recovering at home with his family following medical treatment at a hospital.

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