The Jump: Beth Tweddle walks unaided for first time following injury sustained on show

Beth Tweddle has begun walking unaided following neck surgery in Austria.

The former Olympic gymnast is recovering in hospital in the country after crashing into a barrier during training for reality TV programme The Jump. After being airlifted to hospital she underwent surgery to fuse fractured vertebrae in her neck.

In a statement released on her website, Tweddle said: “I’ve started to feel a lot better in the past 24 hours and I’ve begun walking by myself. It’s still a case of taking one day at a time, but I’m setting myself goals and I’m determined to be up and about as soon as I can. The doctors are happy with my progress and next week we will have a better idea of when I can be discharged from hospital.

The 30-year-old, who won Bronze at the London Olympics in 2012, also thanked the medical staff in Austria who she said had been “fantastic” and said her parents have read her get-well messages from the public which have “meant a lot” to her.

Tweddle's latest update comes a few days after her parents Ann and Jerry said she had managed a few steps with the assistance of her nursing team.

Swimmer Rebecca Adlington and actress Tina Holby were also forced to leave this year’s series due to sustained injuries. Channel 4 said they have asked producers to review safety procedures.