Denise Van Outen has been forced to quit Dancing On Ice after injuring herself.
The TV presenter is “gutted” that she can’t go on in the ITV competition with her professional partner Matt Evers.
She had pushed on through her injury to perform her first routine, but ever since has been wearing a sling in a bid to heal her shoulder.
Sadly, she’s now had to step down from the show.
ITV have announced that Denise and Matt will be replaced by Olympic gymnast Amy Tinkler and professional Joe Johnson, who will join the line-up this weekend.
Denise took to her Instagram account to announce: “GUTTED! If you’ve been watching @dancingonice you will be aware that just over a week ago I had a nasty fall and injured my shoulder. I managed to skate my first dance with @themattevers on the live show through a gritted smile because the pain was unbearable.
“I’ve tried as hard as I can to carry on because I love the show and the amazing team in front and behind the cameras. Initially we thought with rest I could make a return to the ice, but a recent MRI scan has shown that I have 3 bone fractures as well as a partial dislocation. OUCH! No wonder I’ve been in agony.
“I won’t be able to do any lifts, tricks or solo skating on the show due to my injury. I’m going to bail out gracefully with my DOI bling sling.”
She added: “@themattevers has been the most incredible support and skate partner (a true friend) and I’m so grateful for his expertise in teaching me (ice virgin) the basics. I just wish I was well enough to learn all the fabulous tricks my injury won’t allow me to do.”
Referencing what she could manage in her group performance last Sunday, she went on: “Chair dancing on Ice with a massive pie won’t get us points on the leaderboard . I’m actually proud of what I’ve achieved ( not much, lowest scores so far ) . If you don’t mind I’m going to give myself a couple of points for bravery for doing cartwheels on Ice at 46 with broken bones .
(Image: ITV)
(Image: Matt Frost/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
“I wish all the celebs, pros and judges the best of luck for the rest of the series. I’m rooting for you all. Bunch of legends #dancingonice2021”
Matt Evers, her professional skating partner, said: “Denise has worked so incredibly hard these past few months and I’m devastated that she’s unable to show everyone what a beautiful skater she’s become. It’s sad that the competition must end now for both Denise and I but it’s most important that she takes the time to heal and recover.
“I loved our time on the ice together and I love the wonderful friendship that we will always have. I’m gutted to have Denise leave the show and equally gutted that last Sunday’s hug will be my last for a while.”
(Image: mattfrost)
A spokesperson for Dancing On Ice said: “We adore Denise and Matt and we’re so very sad to see them leave the competition so soon. They are both much loved members of the Dancing On Ice family and we’d like to thank them for their hard work, from the moment they began training through to the joyful performances they brought to the show. We wish Denise all the very best as she now takes some time to make a full recovery.”
This is the second blow for the series so far, with comedian Rufus Hound forced to miss shows as he’s had to go into self-isolation after coming into contact with someone who has coronavirus.
Originally from https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/breaking-denise-van-outen-pulls-23388477