Great British Bake Off champion John Whaite has shared a harrowing account of a near-fatal road accident that left him hospitalised earlier this week.
A Terrifying Night-Time Ordeal
The 36-year-old television personality took to Instagram to describe the shocking incident, which occurred on Tuesday night. Whaite recounted being struck by a car while crossing a road, leading to a terrifying sequence of events.
In an emotional post, he wrote about the moment he was hit, rolling over the vehicle's bonnet and windscreen before landing on the road surface. He managed to crawl to the pavement where, as he described, an 'angel of a human' covered him with a coat and stayed with him until an ambulance arrived.
How Muscle Mass Prevented Tragedy
Rushed to hospital by emergency services, Whaite received a startling assessment from medical professionals. Doctors informed him that his 16 stone weight and significant muscle mass likely saved his life, suggesting the accident could have been fatal otherwise.
'Moral of the story,' Whaite advised his followers, 'build strong muscle and core strength, and don't wear black while crossing the road in the dark when an idiot comes speeding without looking.' He later clarified that his use of the word 'speeding' was figurative, meant to convey the sudden and shocking nature of the impact, and that he did not know the driver's exact speed.
Thankfully, after being 'scanned, poked and prodded', Whaite confirmed he is okay, adding his characteristic humour with the note: 'Still gay though.'
A Broader Context of Health Struggles
This frightening incident comes just months after Whaite bravely revealed a separate, ongoing health battle. In November, the star, who reached the final of Strictly Come Dancing in 2021 with professional partner Johannes Radebe, disclosed a five-year struggle with steroid addiction.
He explained that he began using steroids during lockdown after becoming unhappy with his body image, despite having what he now recognises was a 'normal body'. The side effects, he said, have been devastating, including shrunken testicles, an irregular sex drive, and severe impacts on his mental health.
Whaite stated that steroid use had made him want to end his life, prompting a public vow to choose 'health', 'love', and a 'simpler life'. Away from mainstream television, Whaite has also been active on the adult subscription platform OnlyFans, citing that his 12-year TV career no longer 'set him alight'.
His recent experiences underscore a tumultuous period for the baker-turned-media personality, highlighting both a brush with mortality and a determined fight for physical and mental wellbeing.
