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Gymnast Tweddle undergoes neck surgery

Beth Tweddle has undergone surgery to fuse together two fractured vertebrae in her neck, her family has said.

Olympic gymnast Tweddle suffered the injury during the making of Channel 4 programme The Jump.

Surgeons took a bone fragment from Tweddle's hip and used it, along with pins, to fuse together two fractured vertebrae in her neck.

Beth Tweddle was taking part in a TV show. Credit: Channel 4

The former gymnast thanked well-wishers, she said: "Thank you so much for your support and concern. The last 48 hours have been very scary but all the messages have really helped to keep me positive. I will keep you updated on my progress."

Tweddle's parents, Ann and Jerry, said initial medical indications were positive as she can move her hands and feet.

The early medical indications were positive as Beth was able to move her hands and feet, despite being in a lot of discomfort.

The medical staff have been fantastic and explained to us that Beth was waiting for an operation as there were more serious cases ahead of her.

At 20:00 GMT last night Beth was taken down for surgery where they took a piece of bone from her hip and used it to fuse the two vertebrae that were fractured, along with pinning them together.

It was a scary time for all of us and we're just very grateful that the operation was a success.

– Ann and Jerry Tweddle