BBC wildlife expert Steve Backshall is recovering in hospital after breaking his back in a rock climbing accident.
The former Really Wild Show presenter fell 25ft while climbing a demanding face in the Wye Valley, in the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire.
The 35-year-old said he felt a "sickening thud" as his left leg and spine broke in two places.
Speaking from his hospital bed in Bristol, he said his safety equipment had failed because it was too wet.
Doctors have told the star he is not paralysed and will fully recover in six weeks.
Speaking to local newspaper The Gloucestershire Echo he said: "The rock was still a bit wet from an earlier shower, so the route I was trying was harder than normal.
"I stopped for a rest but, the next thing I knew, I was heading very quickly towards the ground.
"I can't begin to describe how painful it was - it's worse than anything I'd ever experienced before.
The presenter, whose Lost Land Of The Jaguar will be screened next week, revealed he knew he had been lucky as his injuries could have been worse.
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