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Jason Donovan forced to quit Dancing on Ice after failing to recover from back injury

This image and the information contained herein is strictly embargoed until 00.01 Tuesday 12th January 2021 From ITV Studios Dancing on Ice: SR13 on ITV Pictured: Jason Donovan. This photograph is (C) ITV Plc and can only be reproduced for editorial purposes directly in connection with the programme or event mentioned above, or ITV plc. Once made available by ITV plc Picture Desk, this photograph can be reproduced once only up until the transmission [TX] date and no reproduction fee will be charged. Any subsequent usage may incur a fee. This photograph must not be manipulated [excluding basic cropping] in a manner which alters the visual appearance of the person photographed deemed detrimental or inappropriate by ITV plc Picture Desk. This photograph must not be syndicated to any other company, publication or website, or permanently archived, without the express written permission of ITV Picture Desk. Full Terms and conditions are available on the website www.itv.com/presscentre/itvpictures/terms For further information please contact: james.hilder@itv.com / 0207 157 3052
The actor has been forced to leave the show (Picture: ITV)

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.

Editorial use only Mandatory Credit: Photo by Matt Frost/ITV/REX (11747857br) Jason Donovan and Alexandra Schauman 'Dancing On Ice' TV show, Series 13, Episode 4, Hertfordshire, UK - 07 Feb 2021
Jason with professional partner Alexandra Schauman (Picture: Matt Frost/ITV/REX)

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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