Strictly Star John Waite Survives Near-Fatal Car Accident

John Waite, a finalist on Strictly Come Dancing and winner of The Great British Bake Off, was involved in a serious car accident on the evening of January 7, 2026. He was run over by a vehicle, which resulted in damage to the car's bonnet and windscreen before he landed on the road. Emergency services attended the scene, and Waite was taken to the hospital for assessment.

Doctors informed Waite that the collision "could have been fatal" were it not for his significant muscle mass. He shared this ordeal on Instagram, humorously advising followers to "build strong muscle and core strength" and to be mindful of visibility when crossing roads at night. Despite the frightening nature of the accident, Waite confirmed on social media that he had undergone scans and examinations and was in good condition.

Waite, who made history as part of the first same-sex male couple on Strictly Come Dancing with Johannes Radebe, also previously won The Great British Bake Off in 2012. He resides in Leeds with his husband, Paul Atkins, with whom he has been together for 18 years.