Strictly Come Dancing star and former Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite has shared harrowing details of a serious road traffic accident in Leeds, revealing doctors told him the incident 'could have been fatal'. The 2021 Strictly finalist was struck by a car, leaving him crawling to the pavement for help.
The Shocking Moment of Impact
John Whaite described the terrifying sequence of events in a statement on social media. He explained that he was hit by a vehicle, causing him to roll up onto the bonnet and into the windscreen, damaging both, before being thrown back down onto the tarmac. "I splatted onto the road and crawled to the pavement," he wrote, recounting the immediate aftermath of the collision.
An 'Angel' and a Stark Warning
In his moment of need, the TV personality was aided by a passer-by he hailed as an "angel of a human". This good Samaritan covered him with a coat and stayed with him until emergency services arrived. Whaite later issued a serious warning about pedestrian safety, urging people to reconsider wearing dark clothing when crossing roads at night. He also expressed profound gratitude to the NHS staff and police officers who cared for him, praising them as "angel creatures".
Why Doctors Believe He Survived
Following medical assessment, Whaite was given a startling prognosis by doctors. They indicated that the severity of the crash meant it could have been a fatal incident. The professional baker, who made history as part of Strictly's first male same-sex partnership with Johannes Radebe, suggested his physical stature played a part in his survival, remarking that he was "16 stone of muscle" at the time. While he initially stated the driver was "speeding without looking", he later clarified he did not know the exact speed, only that it was sufficient to "skittle" him onto the vehicle.
The incident has shone a light on road safety and the vital role of emergency responders. John Whaite's experience serves as a powerful reminder of life's fragility, even for a dancer known for his strength and agility on the Strictly ballroom floor.
