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FROZEN OUT
Dancing On Ice’s Joe-Warren Plant and Vanessa Bauer devastated as bosses say they’re OUT of show and will never return
EMMERDALE star Joe-Warren Plant and Vanessa Bauer will NOT return to Dancing on Ice this weekend, The Sun can reveal.
The duo, once favourites to win the ITV show, were told this morning that their place will not be reinstated after getting the boot after both testing positive for coronavirus.
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The shock decision has left the two stars gutted — after they thought bosses would U-turn and allow them to return despite it going against the show’s own hardened-up rules which stated a positive test meant immediate — and permanent — expulsion.
The move will please both previous contestants who have been forced out of the competition with injuries or coronavirus, and the remaining celebrities who will not have to take on the duo.
The Sun’s news that they were being lined up for a return started a favouritism row — with cast and crew left feeling it was at odds with previous decisions.
A source said: “Everyone was expecting them to return.
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“When the idea was first mooted everyone thought producers were just being polite. But clearly they always wanted this to happen.
“Joe and Vanessa are absolutely gutted. They had no ill-effects of being positive for COVID-19, so have been keeping fit and healthy in the confines of their hotel walls while they were isolating. But ultimately the producers have to uphold the integrity of the show and felt inviting them back could really upset the apple cart.”
Bosses had not extended the invite to any of the other celebrities who have had to withdraw from the contest due to injury or Covid.
Insiders say Emmerdale actor Joe, 18, and Vanessa, 24, were only in the mix to return because they only missed one week due to their Covid diagnoses.
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Rufus Hound, 41, who had Covid, Billie Shepherd, 31, and Denise Van Outen, 46, who were both injured, all had at least two weeks off.
Jason Donovan, 52, also quit this week due to a back injury he could not shake off.
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The Sun revealed exclusively how the show’s producers had to pause filming for the first time — meaning no show aired last Sunday.
They took the unprecedented decision because of a spate of injuries and positive Covid-19 tests, leaving them with too few celebrities to fill the two-hour slot and no reserve skaters for the first time in the show’s history.
Reserves Olympian Amy Tinkler, 21, and comedian Matt Richardson, 29, both had to be called upon, but were then voted off.
Holly Willoughby announces Joe Warren has left after a positive Covid test and Jason Donovan will not be performing on Dancing On Ice this week because of a back injury
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