A WORLD high jump champion from Colchester was exposed to suffocating gas and forced to fight a fellow athlete in his first appearance on a popular television.

Jonathan Broom-Edwards, 34, who won gold at the Tokyo Paralympics, is currently starring in Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins on Channel 4.

The long-running programme sees rookie recruits push their mental and physical strength to the limits as they test whether they could cut it in the Special Air Service.

Jonathan, who was born with congenital talipes equinovarus, has always been fascinated by the concept so was “over the moon” when asked to join the line-up.

Gazette:

During the new series’ first episode, which aired on Sunday night, Johnathan was put through his paces, alongside the likes of Maisie Smith, Pete Wicks, and Amber Gill.

On one occasion he had to go into a room filled with CS gas without a mask on, which was “the most intense feeling of panic” he has experienced.

Jonathan said: “I full on felt I was going to die in that moment.”

READ MORE: 'It's about survival' - Colchester's golden Paralympian to star in SAS: Who Dares Wins

Later in the show, Jonathan, whose condition impacts his ability to use his feet and causes a muscular imbalance throughout his body, had to fight Dwain Chambers.

To watch the first episode of S.A.S Who Dares Wins head to channel4.com.