Griff Rhys Jones, a keen yachtsman, and his wife Jo were forced to jump overboard into shark-infested waters after their chartered yacht caught fire, according to reports.

The comedian was sailing near the Galapagos Islands off South America, when the captain ordered them to abandon ship after a fire broke out in the engine room.

The captain had warned them sharks, including hammerheads, populated the surrounding seas. Along with 15 friends and the crew, they jumped into the water from the MV Barranda, and spent 30 minutes in the sea before an American cruise ship rescued them.

A source told The Daily Mirror: “Everyone laughed but they were not quite so jolly when they were swimming for their lives. There was a huge sense of panic, especially as you could barely see in front of you because of the smoke.”

The shipwrecked were taken to Quito, the capital of Ecuador, with many arriving with no ID or money. A spokesman for Rhys Jones said: “He’s back home and everyone is fine.”