The Traitors viewers have been left heartbroken after hearing Andrew Jenkins open up about being ‘pronounced dead’ in a horror accident.
The 45-year-old insurance broker – who has described the gym as his ‘safe haven’ and a way to keep a check on his mental health – previously shared how the accident changed his whole outlook on life, and hopes his life story can help inspire people with how they live their lives after seeing him on the hit reality show.
‘I was pronounced dead on the side of the road 23 years ago and I was in a coma for nearly five weeks,’ he said, ahead of appearing on Claudia Winkleman’s murder mystery gameshow where he was recruited to be a Traitor.
On Wednesday’s episode, just days away from the final, Andrew admitted he wasn’t ‘coping very well’ with the pressure of being a Traitor, calling it ‘an emotional rollercoaster’.
‘It’s a lot harder than I thought it was going to be.’
He then heartbreakingly shared his story to the camera, after Faithful Mollie pointed out that he’d been through hard life experiences in the past.
Andrew said: ‘I’ve been on a huge journey, I was given a second chance at life.
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‘I was involved in a serious road traffic accident 23 years ago and they said I was dead initially on the side of the road.
‘I was in a coma for five weeks and they got told I had severe brain damage.
‘The injuries I had were horrific. I was told after my accident that I’d never walk again, and I told the doctor I would walk again.
‘And I did it, I’m not going to fail, I’m not going to give up on anything.’
Viewers were left tearful hearing Andrew’s emotional story, wanting more than ever for him to be the last Traitor standing, and walk away with the prize money.
‘Andrew you legend. Came back from death. Wow,’ viewer Millie wrote on X.
Laura added: ‘protect Andrew.’
‘That’s some story. Well done Andrew,’ Sharon said.
Andrew had earlier explained, after being announced as a contestant on the programme: ‘My parents were told I’d never walk ever again, I had brain damage and that there’s a chance of me not waking up from my coma.
‘My parents were told that if I did wake up, I’d never walk, talk or use my arms again and I may not recognise them.
‘They were told to prepare for the worst. There’s lots of things that happened to me, and the doctors call me a miracle patient.’
Last year, Andrew was lucky enough to get to meet the man who saved his life, and he described the moment as ‘a very emotional thing’.
‘I met him and I shook his hand and said thank you for saving my life,’ he added. ‘There are not many people out there who get a chance to see somebody who saved their life and say thank you.’
Over the last couple of years, Andrew has been inspired by his own near death experience and wants to ‘step out of his comfort zone’ after ‘going through a personal growth journey’.
‘I’ve been a Steady Eddy all my life I suppose, never taking any risks or challenges. You only have one life, and I know that more than anyone,’ he said.
‘Your life is short, and it can get taken away at any moment. I live my life as best I can and take as many opportunities as possible that come my way.’
Even before appearing on the show, Andrew had ‘hundreds of people messaging’ to thank him for sharing his ‘inspiring’ story and opening up about his mental health.
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‘I want to inspire people, I believe I can inspire thousands and hopefully, with this exposure, millions of people. I think I’ve only just scratched the surface of this, and I want to continue that really,’ he explained.
‘I want to inspire people and give them hope. To tell them that if you keep fighting and believing you will get to your dreams.’
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The Traitors continues tonight at 9pm on BBC One.
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