Former X Factor champion Joe McElderry has been crowned winner of the first series of The Jump. The 22-year-old, who beat journalist Donal Macintyre, 48, in the final, retweeted a photo of himself, proudly holding up his gold trophy and beaming at the camera. "He's only gone and done it @joemcelderry91 #thejump," wrote television producer Katrina Morrison alongside the snap.
Joe then thanked the show's production team for all the support he had received, writing, "Thank you to all crew, production, medics, physios, trainers for helping us all to get through the show was soo much fun!!"The Wide Awake singer jumped an outstanding 17.5m in the ski challenge, beating Donal who managed 13.5m. Joe kept his fans updated throughout the competition, sharing his excitement just moments before the final jump. "Now it's time to take my bruised legs up the jump for the last few times!! :D," wrote Joe, followed by, "Wow wow wow what a night!!! Buzzing!!!!!!""I have had an amazing time being a part of the jump!! And met some truly lovely people, so many great laughs and memories!!!!" he added. Fellow contestants Sir Steve Redgrave and Marcus Brigstocke were forced to bow out of the competition just hours before the final due to a rib and knee injury respectively. This is the third reality TV triumph for Joe, who won The X Factor in 2009 and Popstar to Operastar two years later.