Heap began as a gymnast when he was just nine years old, after his parents took him to classes out of simple desperation, as he was very hyperactive as a child.

In an interview with the BBC he stated; I was a bit of a tearaway as a kid, always jumping over the sofas and racing around the yard.

[5] A series of injuries only helped to exacerbate his financial shortfalls, as long periods out meant even less money.

Heap had many such injuries throughout his career, undergoing five operations on his left elbow, surgery to both shoulders, calves, shins, an ankle and a wrist.

In January 2007, Heap received the backing of Gordon Prentice, MP for Pendle, to build a specialist gymnastic centre for the 2012 Summer Olympics.