A third Dancing On Ice star has pulled out of the competition due to an injury.
Eric Radford, professional skater and competition partner to EastEnders star Charlie Brooks’, has been forced to withdraw from the competition for this week.
He is the third skater who has been forced to pull out of the show. Professional skater Vanessa Bauer withdrew for the entire series after suffering an “accident” backstage last week. Comedian Josh Jones also had to leave the competition early after twisting his ankle.
A statement on the Dancing On Ice Instagram said: “Unfortunately, Eric Radford has sustained an injury during rehearsals. Following medical advice, he will not be able to skate with Charlie Brooks this week. (Ice dancer) Brendyn Hatfield will skate with Charlie. We wish Eric a quick recovery and hope to see him back on the ice next week.”
Charlie said that Eric had sustained an injury to his back. She said: “Then his quad wasn’t firing properly so he’s having to have an MRI and has been told he has to have this week off the ice, which is so gutting. It’s such a shame, he’s my number one and I will be lost without him.”
She went on to add to The Sun that she is currently attempting to “flip” the news and become excited over the prospect of dancing with another skater, explaining that Brendyn is “wicked.”
The Janine Butcher actress commented: “I just hope that this won’t mean me and Eric never dance again, it feels do dramatic.”
Taking to social media, Vanessa revealed she was gutted that she had to withdraw. In an emotional video, she said: “I’m here today with rather upsetting news. I am unfortunately not going to be able to continue on Dancing on Ice with Chris.
“That’s really upsetting for me. I have trained Chris since October last year and it is always such an amazing achievement for myself to see someone else progress so much in a skill they’ve never done before.
“So it’s been really rewarding for me to watch this whole journey for Chris [and] the way he’s got better week since October and also since the live shows started.”
But despite her desire to succeed on the show, she explained her health came first after her incident, reported The Mirror.
Vanessa continued: “I unfortunately had a little accident backstage last week on Dancing on Ice just before the live show on Sunday. And I didn’t realise how bad it was then, but we did an MRI and it turned out that I have a completely torn ligament, grade three sprain injury and a major grade two sprain injury.
“I shouldn’t be skating on an injury like that and so I’m taking all of the advice from the medical professionals here, I am in very good hands.”
Coronation Street star Sam Aston who is also competing told the show on Sunday that he “fell very badly” during rehearsals ahead of the live episode. Aston had to have his shoulder clicked back into place, presenter Stephen Mulhern revealed.