Eddie the Eagle Flies Again: Olympic Hero Joins British Gas Engineers Amid Brutal Winter Weather
The iconic Winter Olympics ski jumper, Eddie "The Eagle" Edwards, has taken on a new role with British Gas engineers, sharing his expertise on resilience and performance in freezing conditions. This collaboration comes as the United Kingdom endures one of the coldest and stormiest winters in recent memory, with British Gas reporting record-breaking callouts for boiler repairs.
Record Winter Demand for Heating Repairs
British Gas has already addressed more than 600,000 broken boiler incidents this winter season, highlighting the severe strain on household heating systems. The energy provider has experienced unprecedented demand in January alone, as icy temperatures and severe weather patterns have swept across the nation, affecting even the most remote communities.
To better prepare their trainee engineers for these challenging conditions, British Gas enlisted the help of Eddie Edwards, whose legendary career as an Olympic ski jumper has equipped him with unique insights into operating under pressure in extreme cold.
Olympic-Level Resilience for Everyday Heroes
"I've spent my entire life learning how to cope with cold, pressure, and those moments when everything seems stacked against you," Eddie explained. "Being hard-working, resilient, and able to perform under pressure are qualities every Olympian needs, and they're exactly what I observed in British Gas engineers too. Whether facing freezing temperatures or difficult conditions, they simply get on with the job and ensure people are properly cared for."
This partnership is particularly timely as athletes from Team GB and ParalympicsGB prepare for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina. British Gas serves as an official partner for both teams, creating a natural connection between elite athletic preparation and essential winter service provision.
Household Winter Worries Revealed
New research commissioned by British Gas has uncovered significant concerns among UK households regarding winter breakdowns and extreme weather preparedness. The study reveals that just two percent of adults consider their cold-weather endurance to be at "Olympic-level," while three-quarters admit they struggle when temperatures plummet.
When asked about winter scenarios most likely to disrupt their lives, 66% of respondents ranked a broken boiler as their primary concern, surpassing power cuts (61%) and burst pipes (60%). More than half (55%) indicated that a heating breakdown would become a serious problem within just 24 hours, and four in ten identified waking up without heating as the most frustrating winter issue. These concerns significantly outweighed worries about losing internet access (13%), television service (12%), or mobile phone signal (8%).
Expert Advice for Winter-Proofing Homes
British Gas has shared essential tips for ensuring homes remain protected during harsh winter conditions:
- Schedule regular boiler services to maintain efficient operation
- Bleed radiators to keep heating systems running optimally
- Insulate pipes and lofts to help retain valuable heat
- Identify the location of stopcocks in case of frozen or burst pipes
- Develop a comprehensive winter plan including emergency contacts
Peter Knowles, a technical repair engineer at British Gas, emphasized the importance of preparedness: "I witness firsthand how much pressure winter can place on households when temperatures drop suddenly or severe weather strikes. That's why we maintain priority engineers ready to respond—even in challenging conditions or hard-to-reach locations. Whether dealing with snow, ice, or isolated customers, our focus remains on resolving issues for households as quickly as possible, including providing same-day support when it's most critical."
Enhanced Winter Support Services
British Gas is offering same-day boiler repairs for all callers, including non-customers, who contact them before 11am. Additionally, the company is providing free boiler service health checks for remote homes throughout this winter season. Those interested in potentially winning a free health check can participate through British Gas's Instagram channel.
As winter continues to test both infrastructure and endurance, this unique collaboration between Olympic legend and essential service providers highlights the shared values of resilience, preparation, and commitment to public welfare during challenging seasonal conditions.
