Great British Bake Off star John Whaite reveals doctors feared the worst after near-fatal car accident

John Whaite has said doctors warned that a car accident he was involved in earlier this week could have been fatal, as he shared details of the incident with fans on social media.

The former The Great British Bake Off winner and Strictly Come Dancing finalist revealed he was taken to hospital on Tuesday night after being hit by a car while crossing the road.

In a post shared on Instagram, Whaite described being thrown onto the bonnet and windscreen before landing on the road, adding that a passer-by stayed with him until an ambulance arrived.

He later told followers that doctors said the crash “could have been fatal”, but suggested his physical strength helped reduce the severity of his injuries. Whaite reassured fans that he had been fully examined and was recovering.

Clarifying his initial description of the incident, Whaite said he did not know the speed of the vehicle involved and had used the word “speeding” figuratively to describe how sudden the collision was.

Despite the seriousness of the accident, he maintained his trademark humour, telling followers that he was otherwise fine.

Whaite rose to prominence after winning Bake Off in 2012 and later made history on Strictly Come Dancing in 2021 as part of the show’s first male same-sex pairing, alongside professional dancer Johannes Radebe. The pair finished runners-up in the competition.

He lives in Leeds with his husband, Paul Atkins, and continues to work as a baker and author.

In recent years, Whaite has spoken openly about his health, including struggles with body dysmorphia and eating disorders, as well as his decision to stop using anabolic steroids after experiencing serious side effects.

Fans and fellow public figures shared messages of support following his update, with many expressing relief that he had avoided serious injury.

Aasiya Niaz