Property helps former Olympic ski jumper win gold

Property has provided former Olympic ski jumper Eddie “The Eagle” Edwards with his best ever investment.

He still owns the first home he bought – a first floor flat a short distance from the river in Bedford, Bedfordshire - and over the years it has rewarded him with fantastic returns.

Interviewed on Overseas Property TV Eddie said that flat initially provided him with the ideal base for his tough training schedule – and later generated good rental income.

Speaking to interviewer John Daly on the channel’s Snap programme, Eddie said “I was going to sell it a few years ago, but I’m glad I didn’t.

“It has increased substantially in value since I first bought it. As a result, it has given me the security I need to do other things with my life."

Eddie became the world’s most unlikely Olympian, representing Britain in the 1988 Calgary Olympics having ski jumped for a comparatively short period.

He finished in 56th position out of 57 competitors – but only because one of the athletes was disqualified.

However his sheer bravery, enthusiasm and trade mark bottle thick-glasses captured the world’s heart, and he became a symbol for lovable heroic failure.

In 1992, he recorded a song which went to Number Two in Finland, called simply “My Name is Eddie”

Eddie, who is now studying law, was the latest celebrity guest to appear on Snap, broadcast on satellite channel 287.

It asks contestants to guess the value of their first home – and then discover what overseas properties could be bought for the same price today.

The programme will be aired later this month.