England footballer Jay Bothroyd ditched his car and walked nine miles home after being stuck in the snow on Britain’s treacherous roads, it emerged today.
The 28-year-old Cardiff star was driving back to Wales after spending some time in London Christmas shopping.
After being stuck for more than two hours on a westbound stretch of the M4, the striker made the decision to ditch his 4×4 and make the trip on foot with his young son and son’s friend.
Bothroyd uploaded a picture of himself and the boys wrapped up like Arctic explorers to Twitter, saying: “I swear down I’m walkin Down the m4 left car !!!!!!!!! Gotta walk 9 miles.”
Four hours later at 21.44, he tweeted: “After the epic walk home we are safe having a nice hot shower in bed watching gremlins with my son!!!!!”
IN PICTURES: THE SOUTH WEST’S BIG FREEZE
After watching the movie, Bothroyd made the decision to return to his car at midnight – by which time it was about to be towed away by authorities.
But the striker, who has scored 15 goals this season for high-flying Cardiff, got there in time and made the nine-mile drive back to his home in south Wales.
He tweeted:”I thought it (the towers) was quite inconsiderate under the circumstances with the weather being bad and all the traffic.”
Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson revealed he also ditched his car while stuck on the M40 – and hitched the 18-mile journey home with two men in their 4×4.
The hellish weather has caused a nightmare on Britain’s transport network with road, rail and air transport all massively affected.
Breakdown organisation The RAC revealed yesterday was one of its busiest ever day – answering more than 17,000 callouts.