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The Games: Lucrezia Millarini suffers spectacular fall over the finish line in 400m raceRachael O'Connor
Caption: Lucrezia Millarini suffers spectacular fall over the finish line in 400m race
Pictures: ITV / Rex
ITV newsreader Lucrezia Millarini suffered an almighty fall right at the finish line on Wednesday’s episode of The Games.
The former Channel 4 favourite, which sees celebrities compete in Olympic Games-style events, has returned to our screens this year after a long break away, with Holly Willoughby and Freddie Flintoof presenting.
Now airing on ITV, the live competition is set to air daily for a week, with the finale coming on Friday, 13 May when the top competitors will be awarded their well-deserved glory.
Wednesday’s episodes saw the women compete in a pre-recorded javelin contest and the highly-anticipated 400m race, which took place live from Crystal Palace National Sports Centre in London.
It was hardly a neck-and-neck competition, with Chelcee Grimes coming in first place a full six seconds before anyone else crossed the line.
However the fight for second place between Lucrezia and Rebecca Sarker looked to be anyone’s game at first – until Lucrezia took a tumble.
Just as she was about to cross the finish line, the reporter, who had previously suffered an ankle injury, slowed and then stumbled, landing on the line face-first.
But with Phoenix Gulzar-Brown hot on her heels, Lucrezia didn’t waste any time and rolled over the line, still on the ground, to clinch third place, with Phoenix coming in fourth.
Lucrezia lost out on second place but managed to flip herself over the line to come third (Picture: ITV)
Olivia Attwood took fifth place in the race, with Christine McGuinness coming along at her own pace to cross the finish line well over 10 seconds after everybody else, but with a smile on her face.
Chelcee’s incredibly impressive time was rightly praised by both the hosts, the other competitors and the public, but Lucrezia’s stumble also proved a major talking point of the show.
Even Lucrezia herself saw the funny side, as she took to Twitter to write: ‘Nothing quite like skidding over the finish line!
The ITV newsreader was right at the finish line when her legs went from under her (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
‘Ankles went, then legs!’
However she celebrated her third-place position, adding she ‘made it though!’
Fans flocked to the comment section to praise Lucrezia for both her race and sense of humour, with one person writing that ‘NOBODY else could have done that in such style!’
They added that ‘unlike many you didn’t make out that the pain was ripping you apart!’
‘Fantastic effort Lucrezia,’ another wrote. ‘Made sure you got over the line for a well deserved bronze. True grit and detemination.’
They added jokingly: ‘Fantastic TV as well!’
Lucrezia took the fall in her stride and celebrated her impressive third-place position (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
Other stars pushing themselves to the limit in the ITV series include former Strictly Come Dancing pro Kevin Clifton, Emmerdale actor Rebecca Sarker and actor Ryan Thomas.
The Wanted star Max George, Harry Potter actor Josh Herdman, musician Wes Nelson and Coronation Street’s Colson Smiths finish the line-up.
More: TV
Alex Scott joined the series as a pitch-side reporter, along with Chris Kamara as commentator.
The Games continues Thursday night at 9pm on ITV.
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