POOR WILL!
Strictly fans heartbroken as Will Bayley sits alone in the audience after being forced off the show
STRICTLY Come Dancing fans were "heartbroken" to see former star Will Bayley sitting by himself in the audience.
The 31-year-old looked sad as he showed up to support his friends, including his tearful dance partner Janette Manrara, after being forced off the series with a devastating knee injury.
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The Paralympian was ruled out of the show after discovering that his freak knee problem could take six months to heal.
Janette, 35, was seen weeping and being comforted by her co-stars as he opened up about his hurt at being sidelined from the BBC dance hit.
Fans were sad to see him reduced to watching from the crowd, with one writing: "Will sitting in the audience 💔."
Another wrote: "Hope they don't show poor Will sitting in the audience at every opportunity - tough enough for him as it is!"
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A third posted: "So upset for lovely Will #strictly 😥."
Others felt it was cruel to keep training the cameras on him, writing: "What are they doing cutting to Will makes me feel bad for the man 😭."
Will was in tears last week as he announced he was leaving the competition after injuring himself in rehearsals.
Tonight, Tess Daly told fans: "As you may have heard, Will can no longer take part in the competition due to a knee injury."
Will Bayley breaks down in tears as injury forces him to quit Strictly and fear he could miss Paralympics
He later told her he was "gutted" not to be performing.
The Sun Online told last week how the star's departure from the show has forced a major shake-up.
Insiders said bosses won’t put another celebrity on the dancefloor as it’s too late in the process – and will instead only have three couples in the final, not four.
The paralympian issued a statement saying: “I’m gutted my Strictly journey has had to come to an end.
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"I’ve loved being part of the show, and am so grateful for the phenomenal support we have received.
“I want to say a special thank you to Janette for believing in me, and giving me the confidence to believe in myself.
“The things we achieved, from our couple’s choice dance, through to the lifts in our salsa, will stay with me forever. I’ve had the time of my life."
The painful injury, believed to be a torn knee ligament, is the second forced withdrawal this year.
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Made in Chelsea's Jamie Laing pulled out before the series had even begun, with Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher taking his place.
To catch up with very glittery detail from last night's Strictly, get a recap on The Sun Online's live blog.
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