Thursday 17 November, 2022: Actor and ‘I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here’ reigning champ - Danny Miller - has become the 14,000th person from Greater Manchester to learn first aid skills as part of a major campaign with St John Ambulance and BBC Radio Manchester. 

Following the fifth anniversary of the Manchester Arena bombing, the two organisations have been bringing essential first aid skills across Greater Manchester to the public and local organisations, through a mix of public training sessions and on-demand training. 

The Three Ways to Save a Life campaign has now trained just over 14,000 people since it launched in May. 

The Emmerdale star who was crowned I’m A Celebrity’s ‘King of The Castle’ in 2021, was joined by his wife Steph at St John Ambulance’s training centre in Stockport on Tuesday where they were taught vital live-saving techniques, including: 

• Delivering cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and using a defibrillator
• How to treat severe bleeding and catastrophic haemorrhage
• How to treat someone who is choking 

Commenting on the campaign, Stockport born Danny Miller said:  “I’ve always been keen to broaden my knowledge of first aid, so it was fantastic to get involved with this brilliant campaign by St John Ambulance and BBC Manchester. 

“I had previously done some first aid training, but I really wanted to improve my skills since my son Albert was born – particularly around choking. And to also be on hand in day-to-day life, should anyone need help in an emergency and to be able to assist until professional medical support arrives.” 

The first aid sessions are being delivered by teams of St John volunteers and trainers across Greater Manchester in public locations, such as at St John volunteer HQs and on demand by local groups. More than 220 people attended the first day of training in Piccadilly Gardens, Manchester, when the campaign launched earlier this year. 

Danny, who won Best Actor at the British Soap Awards three times for his portrayal of Aaron Dingle in ITV’s Emmerdale, added: “Thanks to the brilliant team of volunteers at St John Ambulance who are getting out and teaching people these vital skills. This training has really given us confidence, especially now we're parents to a young son. I recommend everyone takes the time to learn first aid – you just never know when you might need it.” 

Given the success of the Three Ways to Save a Life campaign, it is now hoped it can be rolled out to other communities beyond Manchester. 

Lydia Scroggs, Head of Clinical Operations at St John Ambulance, said: “We’re delighted that Danny and Steph were keen to learn these techniques and promote the importance of this campaign. Since the launch in May, over 14,000 people across the 10 boroughs of Manchester have received first aid training, helping the NHS and local communities by enhancing public resilience to medical emergencies and serious incidents.” 

Members of the Greater Manchester public and local groups can book a Three Ways to Save a Life session with St John Ambulance by emailing savealife@sja.org.uk.