Beth Tweddle is taking legal action against the makers of The Jump after she fractured her vertebrae while taking part in the Channel 4 show.
The Olympic gymnast had to undergo surgery on her neck and spinal cord after she crashed into a barrier following a training jump during the third series of the winter sports show in 2016.
Demetrius Danas, an injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell, who is representing Tweddle, said: “While training for The Jump TV show, Beth suffered severe injuries including two fractured vertebrae requiring serious surgery on her spinal cord.
“She has had to put many parts of her life and career on hold and, while Beth is making a good recovery, she still cannot do many of the things she previously could as an elite athlete and may never fully recover.
“Despite attempts to settle the legal case amicably, the defendants involved in making The Jump have so far denied any liability for her injuries and we have been left with no choice but to issue court proceedings as we seek to resolve the case.”
Tweddle said in a statement: “It’s been a long journey and my recovery is still ongoing. I’m not sure I’ll ever be 100% again.
“The effects of my accident still interrupt my daily life, and, aside from the severe physical injuries at the start, the hardest part of the recovery process has been the psychological element, dealing with and processing the whole accident and the aftermath of what happened.
“I said before that I don’t want this accident to define me, and I work hard every day to ensure that isn’t the case.
“It’s disappointing that we have had to seek court proceedings as we had hoped the makers of the programme might be willing to work with us to settle the case.
“But I just want to make sure that there is full accountability for people involved in creating shows like this and to help prevent others having to go through what I have for the past three years.”
During the same series of the programme, Girls Aloud star Sarah Harding was also forced to pull out due to a ruptured ligament in her knee.
Former Olympic champion swimmer Rebecca Adlington, 27, withdrew from the show on medical advice after a shoulder injury.
Holby City actress Tina Hobley, Made In Chelsea’s Mark-Francis Vandelli and Olympic gold medal-winner Linford Christie were among the other famous participants who were injured while taking part in the same series.
In the following series, five-time Olympic champion Sir Bradley Wiggins pulled out after breaking his leg.
The Jump’s production company Twofour said: “This matter is being dealt with by our insurers and we are unable to comment as the claim is ongoing”.
Channel 4 has been contacted for comment.
