James Cracknell has been involved in a road accident just weeks before the new series of Strictly Come Dancing is due to be aired.
The Olympic rower, 47, took to Twitter this afternoon to tell his followers that he’d come off his bike after an incident involving a minicab in London.
However, the hardy star insisted that it WON’T stop him from competing in the BBC dance show.
Slight wobble – literally – in my @bbcstrictly preparations. Luckily only a bit of road rash and damaged ego – but I need to get ready for the latter. #daddancing #sharetheroad pic.twitter.com/eN9KgvNsjF
— James Cracknell (@jamescracknell) August 14, 2019
Speaking to the camera, James explained: “I had an altercation with a minicab driver in London.
“It was nobody’s fault, really. Bit of a busted finger and road rash on my back, but OK.
“The good thing was there was no street furniture for me to fall into. I was also wearing a helmet and wasn’t listening to music, so I could concentrate and was focused on what was ahead.
“That’s the thing to remember with cycling or riding a motorbike or driving around town.”
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Just in case any of his fans were worried that the accident would prevent him from pulling on his dancing shoes, James put their minds at rest.
He said: “I now have to switch my focus from riding a bike to learning how to dance.
“To be honest, I’ve got more chance of winning the Tour [de France] than winning Strictly Come Dancing, but in for a penny…”
Stars including TV legend Anneka Rice, comedian Chris Ramsey and EastEnders actress Emma Barton will also be appearing in this year’s series of Strictly, which is due to start next month.
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Nine years ago, James was involved in another road accident while filming a TV series in the US.
The double gold medal winner was riding his bike when he was hit by a truck.
The accident left James with a fractured skull and memory loss.
Earlier this year, the Olympian separated from his wife, TV presenter Beverley Turner. The couple, who married in 2002, have three children together.
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