EXCLUSIVE: The UK’s first Olympic ski jumper has revealed he was provided an enormous gig by the broadcaster.
Eddie ‘The Eagle’ Edwards has made an admission about an ITV present he was as a consequence of seem on (Picture: Getty) This text comprises affiliate hyperlinks, we are going to obtain a fee on any gross sales we generate from it. Be taught extra
Iconic Olympic ski jumper Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards has opened up on his disappointment after ITV cancelled a present he was set to entrance. The 62-year-old father of two first to public prominence in 1988 when he entered the Calgary Winter Olympics because the UK’s first ski jumper and shortly turned the nation’s favorite underdog. He has constructed a formidable profession for this and talking solely to Specific.co.uk he revealed he had been approached in regards to the thrilling collection after he received the celeb actuality diving present Splash in 2013.
“Once I did Splash ITV requested me if I’d go world wide doing a TV present, cliff diving in any respect the websites world wide,” he smiled talking over Zoom. “That may have been sensible however they could not get the insurance coverage for it, so that they needed to can it. And I used to be actually gutted about that. That may have been wonderful,” he mirrored.
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This is not the one factor he was approached about over time that did not occur. He confirmed: “There have been a lot of thrilling tasks which have been introduced to me, that I’d have liked to have accomplished, however they simply disintegrate often for causes like insurance coverage or well being and security.
“I did miss out on performing some actually, actually thrilling stuff, simply due to logistics,” he stated. “However I’ve by no means refused a job so I can not say that I’ve any regrets of not taking up one thing.”
Eddie has loved an extended and diversified profession within the virtually 40 years since he took to the slopes representing the UK. Alongside actuality TV appearances, he has penned books, is in demand as public speaker, appeared in promoting campaigns and even been a sports activities commentator. With so many strings to his bow it begs the query of how he describes his work when he meets individuals. Laughing he acknowledges this takes a little bit of thought.
“It relies on who asks me and the place I’m actually. I suppose I say I do PR – public relations. That is all I can say, often because my work is so diversified. One minute I am doing a little bit of plastering – I am renovating a home for the time being for me and my associate to maneuver in, so I am doing a number of constructing work. However then in between that I’ve received to go all the way down to London to do a chat at a convention, after which Edinburgh, talking at a convention up there, after which I am in Birmingham, talking at a convention, then Worcester, after which I am again to plastering once more.
“And so it is, it is all completely different, actually, however that is what I really like about it. I by no means know from someday to the subsequent, one week to the subsequent the place I’ll be and what I’ll be doing and I like that.
“I believe it could be actually robust for me to get a 9-5 job going to the identical place, day in, time out for years. That would not have been for me. And I’ve liked it. I really feel I’ve by no means labored a day in my life. I’ve liked all the things that I’ve accomplished,” he grinned.
The following journey he’ll undertake is an look on TUI’s UK cruise line Marella Cruises thirtieth Birthday sailings in Could 2026. Eddie is simply one of many huge names booked to mark the event alongside the likes of British singer-songwriters, Pixie Lott and Lemar and stay performances from Fleur East, Boyzlife and La Voix.
Explaining what individuals can anticipate from his discuss he says: “I simply focus on my life actually, I used to be Britain’s first and final Olympic ski jumper. I present video clips… It is simply humorous tales about how I received to Calgary and after Calgary and through Calgary. And so I hold it as entertaining as doable, however on the identical time telling my life as as Britain’s first ever ski jumper.”
Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards will seem as a part of the seven-night thirtieth Birthday celebration cruises throughout the fleet of Marella Cruises ships from Could 1st 2026 onwards. Extra data and reserving particulars can be found right here.
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