Olympic champ Adlington bumped off The Jump due to injury

The swimmer, 26, who has an OBE, has told of her difficult decision to leave the Channel 4 skiing series, with claims she has been forced to quit due to her injury.

She said: “I’ve loved my time on the show and I’m so sad to be leaving on injury. I’m so proud of myself with the challenges I have overcome, from skeleton to jumping and learning how to ski.”

Paralympian Heather Mills, 48, is said to be returning to Channel 4 celebrity ski series to replace Rebecca, after a dramatic moment in the show when she landed in a heap from a 30mph jump and had to be rushed to hospital with a dislocated shoulder.

The star and animal rights activist - who was famously married to former Beatle Paul McCartney is said to be excited about returning to the show after she was knocked out last year.

Rebecca Adlington attended The Brunts School and started swimming with Sherwood Colliery Swimming Club, before being selected for the Nottinghamshire County Elite Squad and going on to win two Olympic gold medals in 2008 and bronze in the 2012 games.