Dancing On Ice’s Greg Rutherford has been forced to leave the show just hours before the live final.
The 37-year-old Olympian would have to go all out against Ryan Thomas, Adele Roberts and Miles Nazaire to lift the trophy this Sunday evening.
Yet his hopes of competing have been dashed after he suffered a ‘significant’ injury on the morning of rehearsals.
His professional partner Vanessa James announced the news in an Instagram post on Sunday, sharing: ‘Unfortunately, Greg suffered a significant injury during rehearsals this morning and will not be able to perform tonight.
“We’re on our way to the hospital where Greg will be further examined and receive the treatment he needs.”
Dancing On Ice’s Greg Rutherford has been forced to leave the show hours before the live final, his professional partner Vanessa James revealed in an Instagram post on Sunday
Earlier this week, Greg said The mirror his time in the league could be over after suffering a painful groin injury four weeks ago.
‘At first I was devastated, that’s typical for me, an injury at the wrong time. But thanks to Sharon, the physio who works on the show has done tireless work to keep me going and doing well,” the Olympian said.
“We’re in a situation right now where, yes, it’s still healing and there’s a little bit of pain and tightness. But I can do what we need to do. Fortunately I am here and I really enjoy being here.’
The athlete admitted the final hurdle will be an attempt at the Bolero – although he is ‘glad’ he still made it to the final.
Greg noted that he was also voted best solo skater, something he called a “really proud moment.”
“All in all I’m super excited but I’m ignoring the fact that there’s still a little bit of an injury but that’s fine. I hope everyone loves the showcase, and that we get to do the Bolero. Then, who knows at that point, who knows!,” he added.
Despite his recent injury, Greg appears to be letting nothing hold him back and admits he is in great shape having lost 7kg since taking part in the ITV show.
The long jump specialist also added that his journey on Dancing On Ice helped him find balance while eating and training better.
While talking about his experience on the Runaway series, Greg admitted that he had found a “complete love and passion” for skating, which he “didn’t expect would happen.”
The athletic sensation – who is now retired – said the show gave him a purpose to exercise and “feel better about myself,” which he described as a “kick in the butt to stay fit and healthy ‘.
Elsewhere, Ryan Thomas has said he hopes the Dancing On Ice final will allow his body to finally recover from intense training during the series.
The track athlete, 37, was set to take on Ryan Thomas, Adele Roberts and Miles Nazaire this Sunday evening to lift the winning trophy (pictured with Vanessa on the show)
Despite his recent injury, Greg appears to be letting nothing hold him back and admits he is in great shape after losing 7kg since taking part in the ITV show
Gushing about his experience on the runaway series, Greg admitted he found a “complete love and passion” for skating, which he “didn’t expect would happen.”
The former Coronation Street actor, 39, who played Jason Grimshaw for 16 years, will battle it out on Sunday night
The actor, whose professional skating partner is Amani Fancy, shared The mirror that being almost 40 years old meant his body didn’t ‘bounce back that easily’.
He said: ‘They work you hard and it’s the last week now and there’s a lot to do. And the body will come to a stop not far away. I mean, it takes a toll on your body more than anything.”
Ryan – whose brothers include Strictly Come Dancing star Adam Thomas and former Love Island contestant Scott Thomas – added that his focus was on getting back to his family.
He continued, “I think that’s the only reason I can get through this is because I know that at the end of the day I have my beautiful family to go back to.
“That’s what I live for, doing the normal every day, taking the kids to school, going to the park, the things that I used to take for granted, I will really embrace.”
Ryan shares daughter Scarlett, 15, with his ex and former Coronation Street star Tina O’Brien, and two children with fiancée Lucy Mecklenburgh, who found fame on TOWIE.
With the end in sight, Ryan stated that skating was getting “more and more difficult.”
Elsewhere, Ryan Thomas also spoke about the grueling training and said he hopes the Dancing On Ice final will allow his body to finally recover from intense training during the series.
This was certainly true of last Sunday’s show, which saw the celebrities’ skating skills pushed to the limit as they performed twice, forcing them to master working on wires during one dance.
Ryan’s hard work paid off when he and his dance partner achieved the highest score of the series with an impressive 38 points.
The judges were full of compliments as they praised the soap star for his ‘storytelling’ and performance skills.
Motsi Mabuse called the skate “cheerful” and said it helped viewers forget the difficult things in their lives.
During this Sunday’s performance, Ryan skates to a Game Of Thrones themed routine which he describes as a ‘real showstopper’.
This year marks 40 years since judges Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean won the Olympic gold.
The celebrities will perform a routine this weekend inspired by the skating duo’s performance at Ravel’s Bolero in Sarajevo during the 1984 Winter Games.
The final of Dancing On Ice is on Sunday at 6.25 pm.
