Ryan Sidebottom ‘gutted’ to pull out of Dancing On Ice tomorrow night after nasty injury
RYAN Sidebottom has revealed how "gutted" he is after he was forced to pull out of performing in tomorrow night’s Dancing On Ice show after a nasty injury.
The celebrity skater has been ruled out on medical grounds after a Grade I adductor strain.
Show bosses say he will now automatically get a place in next weekend’s show without having to rely on the public vote.
A spokesman added: "Everyone at the show wishes him a speedy recovery."
Ryan said in a statement: "Me and Brandee are of course very gutted not to be able to perform this weekend, but I’m focusing on getting back on the ice as quickly as I can.
"I want to thank everyone who has championed us so far, the support has been overwhelming.
"I’m also extremely grateful for all the support from my fellow contestants and I can’t wait to watch them all perform tomorrow night in the studio.
"I’ll be cheering them on!!"
An adductor muscle strain is an injury to the groin muscles on the inside of the thigh.
Grade I is the least serious, usually causing some "pain and tenderness" to the injured person.
It means the ex England Test cricketer will be forced to watch from the sidelines as his celebrity co-stars battle it out for a place in the next round.
It's likely he's being supported by his new girlfriend Maddie Costigan - a married mum who still lives with her husband.
The Sun revealed the pair began dating her after ending a nine-year marriage to his ex Kate, 45, the mum of his two kids.
MOST READ IN TV & SHOWBIZ
Ryan was in the bottom two with his dance partner Brandee Malto back in the first week, but has shown signs of improvement ever since.
But he will miss out on much-needed training days as he rests up to let his body recover from the injury.
Gemma Collins today revealed she was suffering from two injuries - including torn muscles in her shoulder and a sore knee - but was determined that the show must go on.
The GC was rushed into physio with a torn rotator cuff and injured knee after stepping up her rehearsals ready to impress the judges tomorrow night.
She told fans: "I'm in physio. I'm now with the lovely Sharon cos since doing Dancing On Ice I've now got a torn rotator cuff and something has happened to my knees so I've had to call in the top physio."
Despite this, Gemma continued to rehearse so that she can show Jason Gardiner that she's taking the competition seriously after his hurtful comments in the past.
- Dancing on Ice returns on ITV on Sunday, January 27 at 6pm.
Got a story? email [email protected] or call us direct on 02077824220.
We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours.