The Jump: Melinda Messenger forced to withdraw from TV show

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Melinda Messenger has become the latest casualty on Channel 4's winter sports show The Jump, after being forced to drop out as a result of concussion.

The former model suffered a blow to the head as she was practising for a bobsleigh event and she has pulled out of the competition on medical advice.

Just yesterday socialite Henry Conway withdrew after breaking a bone in his hand and X Factor-winner Joe McElderry replaced him on the series, which is being filmed in Innsbruck, Austria.

Celebrities have been learning a series of difficult and dangerous skills on the ice and snow and viewers have seen the two bottom-placed contestants each night fighting for their place in the competition by tackling a ski jump.

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A spokeswoman for the programme said: "After weeks of training for The Jump, Melinda Messenger has had to pull out of the competition after suffering from concussion following bobsleigh training a few days ago.

"It had been hoped that she would recover quickly enough to continue in the show but, as she hasn't been able to train on medical advice, she sadly had to withdraw."

Investigative journalist Donal MacIntyre has now been called up to replace her. Viewers had already seen him beaten by McElderry to become Conway's replacement but he has now been given a lifeline and will join the show from tomorrow.

MacIntyre said: "I'm tremendously excited about joining the show; it's my most dangerous mission yet."

Tonight's edition of The Jump will see the remaining four women – Anthea Turner, Sinitta, Kimberly Wyatt and Laura Hamilton – competing in the giant slalom ski race.

Until now the participants have been in all-male and all-female contests but when MacIntyre joins from tomorrow, the entire field will be battling against each other.

Last night viewers saw Sir Steve Redgrave take part in the jump-off but he retained his place in the show, seeing off former cricketer Darren Gough.

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