Two people were nearly decapitated in Jackass stunt that went badly wrong

Jackass star Johnny Knoxville has revealed two people were nearly decapitated while filming one of the franchise's stunts.

While many Jackass fans cry over one of the bonkers franchises coming to an end, two people who were involved in making of one of the films are probably extremely relieved it's not only over, but that they actually made it out alive - specifically with their heads still intact.

It's hard to pin point the most outrageous, dangerous or downright stupid stunt that appeared within the Jackass franchise over the years.

However, seeing one of the show's original creators and stars Johnny Knoxville strapped to a red rocket - the stunt aptly titled Big Red Rocket - is probably up there.

The stunt was filmed in Jackass Number Two and in an interview with GQ, Knoxville explained just how dangerous it actually was, revealing two people almost lost their actual heads as a result of it.

Johnny Knoxville on the Big Red Rocket. (Paramount Pictures)

Footage from the stunt shows Knoxville counting down from five, before the rocket is set off, with plumes of smoke coming out the back.

Alas, the rocket doesn't make it that far, doing a bit of a pathetic little hop upwards, it's top flying off and Knoxville ending up with his feet - thankfully - back firmly on the ground.

Knoxville says the stunt nearly 'decapitated' two members of the art department. (Paramount Pictures)

Knoxville told GQ he was 'in a real mindset' when taking on the stunt, explaining he doesn't 'remember being terrified'.

"I just remember being ecstatic that we just got that footage," he said. "But it was a pretty crazy moment because a foot-long metal rod shot out, not only this close to my ribs, but one goes through the yard's back and splits two of our art departments right between their ears - Scott Manning and Mike Cassick.

"And that would've decapitated them, so a lot of people got lucky on set that day."

And it's not taken long for fans of the show to flood to social media to weigh in.

One YouTube user said: "Wow when the rocket exploded can’t believe they shot it again after that. the insurance on these productions must be insane."

Another added: "As a fan you think you know how crazy Johnny Knoxville and Jackass Co. can be. But then you hear him say 'shoot myself with a revolver' and 'I had to buy the cheapest vest they had' and you realize that they're wilder than we can ever imagine them to be."

A third commented: "It's a miracle how he's still alive to this day."

And a fourth said: "The jackass franchise will truly be a unique piece of early 2000s history I will forever cherish."