Strictly Come Dancing star and Great British Bake Off champion John Whaite has revealed he was rushed to hospital following a serious road accident that he says 'could have been fatal'.
The Terrifying Incident
John Whaite took to Instagram on Wednesday, 7 January 2026, to disclose that he had been struck by a car the previous evening. The television personality described a harrowing sequence of events, stating he was hit so forcefully that he rolled up the bonnet and damaged the windscreen before landing on the road.
He managed to crawl to the pavement where, in a moment of kindness, a stranger offered immediate assistance. "Some angel of a human threw his coat around me and waited with me for an ambulance," Whaite recounted gratefully.
Muscle Mass Saved His Life
In a startling revelation, Whaite shared that medical professionals later informed him his physical condition likely saved his life. The doctors said 'thank god you're 16 stone of muscle because it could have been fatal,' he quoted.
Reflecting on the close call, the baker offered a stark warning to his followers. "Moral of the story - 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 advised.
Clarification and Recovery
Whaite later returned to social media to clarify a point from his initial post, noting he had used the term 'speeding' figuratively. "I meant: it was sudden and shocking. I don't know what speed the driver was going. But it was enough to skittle me up onto his windscreen," he explained.
Despite the severity of the incident, Whaite reassured everyone of his wellbeing after extensive medical checks. "I've been scanned and poked and prodded and I'm ok. Still gay though," he wrote with his characteristic humour.
The accident comes years after Whaite made television history. In 2021, he and professional dancer Johannes Radebe became Strictly Come Dancing's first all-male partnership, finishing as runners-up. His rise to fame began earlier when he won the third series of The Great British Bake Off in 2012, triumphing despite a significant finger injury during the competition.
John Whaite continues his baking career and lives in Leeds with his husband, Paul Atkins. The couple, together for 18 years, married in New York in 2024 after a long engagement.
