Capital FM's Jordan North has spoken out to defend his actions after he plunged into the River Thames to save a labrador puppy in distress. The 34 year old radio DJ was rescued by Chiswick RNLI when he found himself in trouble after attempting to rescue the dog during a run.
A bystander alerted the authorities as North stepped off a pontoon into the chilly waters to aid the pet, which had tumbled in near Hammersmith Bridge. In a stroke of luck, the RNLI crew were nearby on a drill and arrived within three minutes, reports the Mirror.
They discovered the 'I'm a Celebrity' alum perched on a float lift with the puppy, illuminated by the mobile phone lights of onlookers. On Capital Breakfast, North expressed his gratitude: "A big thank you and a massive shout out to RNLI Chiswick who came and rescued me because I was getting a bit panicky."
He added: "I was getting a bit nervy as well because I thought my legs are going to go, I can't hold on much longer so they got there just in time. The real heroes here are the RNLI who came out and got me, put a blanket round me. They're the heroes."
Radio personality Jordan has fired back at criticism following his rescue by RNLI, asserting that he did not intentionally enter the water. On his Wednesday morning show, he explained: "A lot of people have made out like I went into the river which I would never have done and basically I just kind of climbed over a fence, a wall. To go to a jetty and get the dog out and then I got stuck on a beam and the RNLI had to come and rescue me and the dog. The RNLI have a video of it."
While some have criticised the star, the overall reaction has been an incredibly positive one. So much so, that Jordan is now getting stopped in the street - and even in his local gym. On his morning radio show, he said: "Loads of press and people and Sky and LBC asking for an interview and I went to the gym yesterday and people were coming up to me, no one ever comes up to me at the gym. Jeremy the taxi driver this morning was like 'this is on me', I was like 'no I'll pay'."
It comes as the RNLI is currently running its annual Christmas fundraising appeal to acknowledge the crews who keep us safe over the festive period. On average, RNLI lifeboats launch over 100 times during the Christmas period every year.
