Former MP Lembit Öpik faces up to surgery challenge

The former Montgomeryshire MP has become known as the happy-go-lucky star of a string of reality shows since losing his seat.

But a paragliding accident back in 1998 left him with a "wonky face" – and the inability to eat properly. Now he is to go under the knife to reconstruct his face in an intricate and complex operation that will need weeks of rehabilitation.

Mr Öpik, who was MP for Montgomeryshire from 1997 to 2010, today spoke to the Shropshire Star of his relief that four years on an NHS waiting list has finally ended. And he speaks of his continued love of Shropshire and Mid Wales.

He is largely based in London, where he works for a motorcycle campaign group, but regularly returns to the region.

"I miss the peace and quiet and the beautiful countryside. It still very much feels like home," he said.

Mr Öpik has already starred in a music video, taken part in a wrestling match and made television appearances on various reality shows since losing his seat in the 2010 General Election.

The Shropshire Star revealed yesterday that the he is awaiting an operation to put right damage caused in the paragliding accident.

It is a big step for the 50-year-old, who jokes that he hopes the changes made to his face will make him look "like George Clooney".

Mr Öpik is currently the director of communications and public affairs for the Motorcycle Action Group, a volunteer-led riders' rights organisation that campaigns to protect and promote motorcycling and the interests and rights of all riders.

A keen motorcyclist himself, he says he hopes to continue in his current role working with the group this year.

He said: "I am very happy where I am. I am enjoying the job and the challenges. It is an interesting role. I do miss Parliament but you have one life and I want to do as much as I can.

"I lost my seat and that is fine – I would have liked to have been in Parliament longer, but I have got to do a lot of things since. I am very grateful for the amount of experience I have had. I have had three careers."

County Down-born Mr Öpik became Member of Parliament for Montgomeryshire in Wales in 1997, becoming leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats in 2001.

Since then the politician has made a number of television appearances on shows like Have I Got news For You, I'm a Celebrity . . . Get Me Out of Here!, Loose Women and Come Dine With Me.

"I would like to do more TV work," he added. "I have enjoyed the programmes I did – they were fun,

"I don't want to change the world; I just want to enjoy life.

"You have to remember the TV world isn't real, but I do really enjoy doing TV and radio work."

In recent years he has also appeared in a pantomime, done stand-up comedy and even took part in a professional wrestling promotion.

In 2012 he appeared at Welshpool Town Hall in front of hundreds of wrestling fans. He had teamed up with Iestyn Rees to take on 18-stone Kade Callous and Bison Brody.

But a side-crunching slam and a choke hold ended his bout early, with the 20-minute match ending about 15 minutes in. He was taken away by members of Llanfyllin St John Ambulance on oxygen with suspected broken ribs.

Today Mr Öpik spoke about his immediate challenge – surgery to "put his wonky face right" after the paragliding accident in 1998 that saw him fall 80ft.

During the accident on a Montgomeryshire mountain, Lembit broke his back in 12 places, as well as his ribs, sternum and jaw.

This month Mr Öpik, who has had high-profile romances with one half of the Cheeky Girls and weather girl Sian Lloyd, will finally undergo a six-hour operation on the NHS after waiting more than four years.

He said: "On April 13, 1998, I had a near fatal accident where I broke my back in 12 places. It made my face a lot more wonky and also affected how I ate.

"I am having the operation because I can't eat properly, not for cosmetic reasons. I have lost a lot of teeth.

"My teeth are in such a state now that I can't really eat anything that requires effort.

"My teeth have been disintegrating and I am a slow eater. It got so bad that I went to visit an expert who said my jaw needs to be re-set.

"I am hoping it will be one operation and that I am only out for action for a few weeks.

"It has got to be done. It is a small price to pay for my life being saved."

Lembit spoke of his debt to medics in Shropshire who treated him immediately after the accident, adding: "I owe my life to the care I received after my accident. Staff at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital saved my life.

"I also received fantastic care at the hospital in Gobowen. I can never praise the NHS enough. The NHS is exceptional.

"I am grateful I didn't get any bigger problems.

"I'm now looking forward to being able to eat without pain and hassle after my op."

Mr Öpik will have his operation at London's St Bartholomew's Hospital at the end of this month.