Jordan North sets record straight as he's slammed over terrifying Thames dog rescue

Jordan North has been forced to defend himself after rescuing a helpless dog that had fallen into the River Thames on Monday.

The Capital FM star, 34, was rescued by Chiswick RNLI after he entered the water to retrieve a labrador puppy. A member of the public raised the alarm when the DJ stepped from a pontoon into the water to help the pet, who had fallen into the water while Jordan was out on a run. Jumping to action, the TV personality ran down the banks of the river to try and help the dog, but had to be rescued by the RNLI after he got into difficulty.

The RNLI crew were, fortunately, out on exercise and reached the pair, near Hammersmith Bridge, just three minutes later. They found the former I’m a Celebrity star sat on a nearby float lift with the dog, as members of the public held up phone torches to help the RNLI locate him.

Praising the RNLI, Jordan said on Capital Breakfast: "A big thank you and a massive shout out to RNLI Chiswick who came and rescued me because I was getting a bit panicky.

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Jordan North has been forced to defend himself after rescuing a helpless dog (Image:PA)

"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."

While many have praised Jordan for his bravery in the rescue, others have slammed the radio star as 'selfish' and have suggested that he wasted the time of the members of RNLI. Jordan has now clapped back at the scrutiny, insisting that he did not purposely get into the water.

On his Wednesday morning show, he said: "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. He said on his morning radio show: "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 save over the festive period. Dad-of-two Gavin will be on shift overnight at Chiswick Lifeboat Station from December 23-27 to keep the local community safe. On average, RNLI lifeboats launch over 100 times during the Christmas period every year.

* There are many ways to support the RNLI’s volunteer lifeboat crews this Christmas. To find out more, please visit RNLI.org/WinterAppeal

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