A finalist from the popular TV show Strictly Come Dancing was swiftly taken to the hospital following a car accident that had the potential to be fatal. John Whaite, a winner of The Great British Bake Off who made it to the finals of the dance competition in 2021, shared on Instagram the key factor that prevented the accident from being more severe.
In a post on Wednesday (7 January), he disclosed that he was hit by a car the previous night, stating, “Last night I got run over (seriously).” After being struck, he landed on the car’s hood, damaging it and the windshield, before falling onto the road and then dragging himself to the sidewalk where a kind stranger covered him with a coat and waited with him until the ambulance arrived.
John mentioned that medical professionals informed him that the accident could have been fatal if he did not have strong muscles. He stated, “The doctors said ‘thank god you’re 16 stone of muscle because it could have been fatal.'”
Furthermore, he reassured his followers that he was fine after undergoing scans and examinations. He humorously added, “Still gay though.” Later, he clarified on Instagram that his use of the term “speeding” was figurative, not literal, explaining that the impact was sudden and unexpected.
Notably, John made history on the 19th season of Strictly Come Dancing by forming the show’s first male same-sex couple with professional dancer Johannes Radebe. Together, they secured the runner-up spot, losing to Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice.
Before his time on Strictly, John gained fame on The Great British Bake Off in 2012, where he emerged as the winner despite enduring a significant finger injury during the sixth episode. Outside of television, John remains active in baking and resides in Leeds with his husband Paul Atkins. They got engaged in 2017 and eventually married in New York seven years later.
In an interview with Gay Times, John expressed his pride in his enduring relationship with his husband, emphasizing that their 18 years together is his most cherished accomplishment.