SKATE NIGHTMARE
Dancing on Ice in chaos as finalist pulls out of the final hours before live show after suffering ‘significant’ injury
The star is on his way to hospital with his pro partner
DANCING on Ice has been thrown into chaos after a finalist was forced out of tonight's show.
Greg Rutherford, 37, won't skate tonight having suffered a nasty injury in rehearsals which has resulted in a trip to hospital.
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Greg's professional skating partner Vanessa James announced the news on social media, saying: "Unfortunately Greg has sustained a significant injury this morning at rehearsals and won’t be able to perform tonight. We are on our way to the hospital for Greg to get examined further and receive the treatment he needs."
The final will continue with the three remaining celebrities: Miles Nazaire, Ryan Thomas and Adele Roberts.
A spokesman for the show said: "Sadly Olympian Greg Rutherford MBE has had to withdraw from Dancing On Ice after sustaining an injury whilst in rehearsals for the final episode of the current series.
"Greg and Vanessa have been such a popular couple this series and have performed some truly memorable routines. We will be helping to support Greg and wish him well with his recovery. We also want to thank him for being such a treasured member of the Dancing on Ice family."
READ MORE ON DANCING ON ICE
Greg has shared Vanessa's post and added a tearful emoji.
Just hours earlier the excited star had given fans a glimpse of his breakfast and joked about the fake tan stains on his bed sheets.
Understandably, fans are devastated by his exit.
One commented: "Oh nooooo! You guys must be gutted. Get better soon Greg x."
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Another said: "Oh no, sorry to hear this. Hope Greg is OK. You two were always my winners."
A third said: "You were amazing. Gutted to not see you both tonight. Most important thing is Greg is ok."
Betting company Coral had believed that it was going to be the "closest final in history".
star Miles was 5-4 to win, followed by Greg (6-4), Adele (7-2), and Ryan (5-1).
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Coral's John Hill said: "Miles tops the betting to win this evening's Dancing On Ice final, however, our betting suggests this is the closest final in history, with all four contestants attracting support.
"Greg has been the biggest mover in the betting over the last few days, as many punters believe he will lift the trophy this evening."
Olympic long-jump champion Greg previously hurt his groin at the beginning of the series and thought that he would have to pull out weeks ago.
He said ahead of the final: "I thought I was out of the show at that point, I didn't think I was (going to be) able to carry on because it was so painful.
"And we've been effectively just letting it heal as much as we can, while still pushing. I've been really, really lucky... (it is) still healing so it still, pulls ever so often (and) feels a bit tight and sore.
"But this is performance-led and I had exactly the same when I was an athlete, I think there's probably only one major in my career where I felt completely healthy.
Who has left Dancing on Ice?
The celebrities who didn't make it to the final are:
- Week Seven: Amber Davies and Simon Proulx-Senecal.
- Week Six: Eddie the Eagle and Vicky Ogden.
- Week Five: Ricky Norwood and Annette Dytrt.
- Week Four: Lou Sanders and Brendyn Hatfield.
- Week Four: Roxy Shahidi and Sylvain Longchambon.
- Week Three: Claire Sweeney and Colin Grafton.
- Week Two: Hannah Spearritt and Andy Buchanan.
- Week One: Ricky Hatton and Robin Johnstone.
"So you expect to have these little niggles and little issues, so you just put your mind to it and push through it."
He also admitted he did not feel "fully prepared" for the last hurdle.
"I think everybody thinks because, obviously, I'm the athlete (it's) win at all costs," he shared.
"But this is a very different world, for me, this isn't what I did before as well. I'm still learning every day."
Meanwhile Miles warned others to not do the show because of its demanding nature.
"No one can prepare you for this," he confessed.
"Even Vanessa [Bauer] in the beginning said to me, ‘By the way, it's going to get really intense.’ And I was like ‘Yeah, I've done loads of TV shows.’
"But, wow, I should have [upped] my fee. This is one of the hardest things I've ever done.
"One of the most beautiful things I've ever done in terms of being so disciplined into one thing and focusing your whole life into one big long four months really."
He joked: "And it's been a magical, crazy, exhausting journey, but I think I speak for all of us when I say I’d do it all again if I had to – it's been incredible.
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"And whoever does it next year, I will pre-warn – don't do it!"
The Dancing On Ice final will air on ITV and ITVX at 6.25pm on Sunda
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