Get the biggest stories sent straight to your inbox Sign up for regular updates and breaking news from WalesOnline Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A ballet dancer who was told he would never walk again before defying doctors to perform in prestigious shows across Europe says he is “very, very lucky”.

Jack Widdowson was left for dead following a vicious attack by an illegal immigrant while on a night out in Cardiff in 2011.

He suffered a broken neck after being set upon by Mohammed Ali Mohamoed who was eventually jailed for 13 years.

Doctors feared Jack, who had been visiting his brother in university at the time, would never walk again.

But he made a “miracle” recovery and is now performing and teaching in venues across the UK, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Jack, now 24, said: “This kind of thing can always happen if you are in the wrong place at the wrong time.

'Treatment was a godsend'

“I have tried to move along from it as much as possible. I was very, very lucky to be able to be dancing again and make a decent career for myself afterwards.

“The access to the amazing expertise from the surgeons and the treatment I received was really a godsend.

“I was very lucky to be so close to those doctors. It’s thanks to them that I am back on my feet.

“When I was in hospital recovering, every day there was a little improvement. That was so encouraging and I am very thankful for that.

“I don’t like to dwell on the past and it’s nice to continue and to be able to dance again. I know I’ve said it a lot, but I’m very lucky.”

Following a night out while visiting brother George in Cardiff, Jack was making his way back home when Mohamoed staged a violent and vicious robbery.

Before leaving the budding stage star for dead with a broken neck, Mohamoed made off with the teenager’s iPhone.

The attack also came the day after Jack, who was 19 at the time, learnt he had been called up as an understudy for a leading ballet role.

Following a trial at Cardiff Crown Court, court officials said Mohamoed was cleared of attempted murder but found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm and given a 13-year prison term.

A lot of positives

But Jack went on to make an amazing recovery, performing at the Glastonbury festival just six months later.

Jack, originally from Bath, said the saga has actually brought a lot of positive things forward too.

Inspired by his story, his family founded a charity called the Dance Again Foundation which helps dancers return to the stage after injury.

He explained: “I set up this charity with my parents and my injuries actually highlighted the fact that there’s not so much dance rehabilitation and research in comparison to many other sports.

“The profession is incredibly demanding and there’s just not that same level of support here as in other sports like it.

“There’s nothing worse you can hear as a dancer than to be told you have an injury and you have to take three months off. You lose training, contracts and agreements.”

Watch as a gifted pianist who went deaf is able to play the piano again

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

The foundation, now run by other members of Jack’s family, supports injured dancers and their families with immediate post-injury advice and help with early rehabilitation. It works with the medical team to achieve the optimum recovery.

Charity getting bigger and bigger

Jack said it is going from strength to strength and has helped hundreds of dancers across the country since being founded.

He added: “It was good to investigate it a bit more and fill this niche, and our charity is now getting bigger and bigger.”

Shortly after recovering, he was taken on by Swiss company Bern Ballett and now lives in St Gallen.

He travels around the country, visiting places like Germany and Austria, performing and teaching.

Jack said he still loves ballet but is now more geared towards contemporary dance and dance theatre.

He and the charity are currently organising a large event in London in partnership with Action Against Cancer called Silent Cell, which will place next year. It will highlight arts and science and the process of recovering from injury.

His next large dance show on the continent will be at the Salzburg Festival in Austria.