Mark Dolan thinks this year's series of 'The Jump' has been the highest standard yet.

Mark Dolan

Mark Dolan

The comedian was eliminated during week two but is still proud of his performance on the celebrity winter sports contest because everyone has been so competitive.

He told RadioTimes.com: "It's definitely been the most competitive show, the most competitive series in my opinion.

"Last series half the group weren't even signed off on the [ski] jump you know. Yeah. That's why they had to do the airbag [jump] instead. As a sort of back-up race.

"The trainers have to watch you going down [the practice slope], and be happy that you know what you're doing. And if they're not, you don't jump."

"I think this has been a vintage year for the series."

The Channel 4 show has a notorious reputation after nine stars were injured last year, and though this year has seen Vogue Williams and Sir Bradley Wiggins withdraw after getting hurt, Mark insists it is actually very "safe".

He said: "There have been one or two injuries, and it's always deeply regrettable when it happens, but I think we've seen some of the most competitive races, and I think that most of the cast have come through unscathed, which is I think is a real blessing, and good news for the show, and good news for its future.

"All of us in the cast, we didn't really enjoy the injury reputation that the show had..

"The show's not about getting people hurt, and it does feel like this series has been the safest and the best so far. I'd say mainly because of the application of the celebrities who have taken it incredibly seriously."

But the 42-year-old comic admitted the elements of danger were a big part of the show's appeal.

He added: "What's brilliant about 'The Jump' is how brutal a competition it is.

"In a world that's very homogenised and very sanitised, in a world of health and safety, I think 'The Jump' is a refreshingly brutal, Darwinistic competition. And I think that's the reason the public enjoy watching it and engage with it.

"Because the public know it's authentic, it's tough, and it's real. And it's hazardous. And also that if you're not good enough you're out."


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