Mel C injured in TV challenge

Ex-Spice Girl Mel C may face surgery after suffering a knee injury – while grappling with Miss World.

The chart star was taking part in a judo bout for Channel 4’s sporting challenge The Games with Azra Akin.

Mel screamed in pain as she landed awkwardly this afternoon and was being seen by specialists.

She was later found to have torn a cruciate ligament in her right knee and is out of the competition.

Mel’s personal trainer Matt Roberts said tonight: “It’s a serious injury and we have to talk to the doctor in more detail.

“It’s something which has long-term ramifications.”

Her injury comes just a day after fellow contestant Gail Porter had to quit.

Porter was advised that she risked long-term damage if she continued.

Channel 4 said Mel C – whose hits include Goin’ Down and Never Be The Same Again – suffered the injury following a throw.

She had been competing in a heat with Akin at the Pond’s Forge sports complex in Sheffield.

The singer was rushed to a nearby hospital by ambulance and examined by UK Athletics’ chief medical officer Brian English.

A spokesman for the show said: “She was in a lot of pain and the girls are devastated. We’re all hoping for the best.”

He added: “They were aware when they went into this, as in any sporting event, there was a possibility of this sort of eventuality, and they all went in with their eyes wide open.

Mel, who was known as Sporty in her Spice Girls days, was in third position in the competition behind leader Terri Dwyer and Miss World.

Competitors in the show have been training for two months for the events, learning a range of new disciplines.

The programme sees female competitors challenging each other, while the men - including James Hewitt and Bobby Davro – take part in their own events.

Last night viewers saw Mel C competing in a speed skating heat, while the male contestants were also on ice as they tried curling.

A spokeswoman for the star confirmed she had torn a cruciate knee ligament. She said the singer may now need surgery on the injury.

Mel had been expected to do well in the final two disciplines of the contest - judo and hammer throwing.

* Footage of Mel C’s accident will be screened in tonight’s edition of the show from 9pm on Channel 4.