Entertainment
Jason Donovan forced to quit Dancing on Ice after failing to recover from back injury
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Jason Donovan has been forced to quit Dancing on Ice after failing to recover from a back injury.
The actor and singer had previously been advised to rest by the show’s medical team and he missed the show on February 14.
He has now told show bosses that he is no longer able to continue.
An ITV spokesperson said: ‘Jason Donovan has brought us so much joy with his performances on Dancing On Ice – from Priscilla through to the tango.
‘Our thanks go to Jason and his partner Alex for being so wonderful and committed to the series. We’re sorry to see them leave and we wish Jason a speedy recovery.’
It means five famous faces have been forced to withdraw from the current series of the ITV show.
It comes after ITV paused the show last weekend, hoping to allow time for celebrities to rest and recover.
Jason’s withdrawal was confirmed after Joe-Warren Plant and partner Vanessa Bauer were forced to leave the show after testing positive for coronavirus. The pair could now be asked to return to show after their period of self-isolation.
Professional skater Hamish Gaman became another casualty to drop out of the programme after he injured his finger pulling up a sock. Denise Van Outen also previously had to withdraw due to a broken shoulder.
Elsewhere, reality star Billie Shepherd quit after suffering a heavy fall on the ice, while Rufus Hound also forced to leave after testing positive for coronavirus.
Professional dancer Yebin Mok was also hospitalised after suffering a horror injury on the ice.
Phillip Schofield, who co-hosts the show with Holly Willoughby, admitted today that he doesn’t know whether Dancing on Ice will return this weekend.
Dancing On Ice airs on Sundays at 6pm on ITV
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