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There were fears Alex Kingston would become the fifth contestant to quit Strictly this year (Image: BBC)
Alex Kingston’s future on Strictly Come Dancing has been confirmed after fears yet another contestant would have to pull out of the BBC show.
The 62-year-old ER and Doctor Who actress – who was hotly tipped to win this year’s series -suffered a rib injury but still took to the dancefloor with pro partner Johannes Radebe to perform their Couple’s Choice dance on Saturday.
It only came to light when her 24-year-old daughter Salome, who she shares with ex-husband Florian Haertel, took to social media to share she was: “So so proud!!! Slayed on the dance floor, dislocated rib and all!!!”
Despite the discomfort, Alex, who also overcame womb cancer last year, is set to return for next week’s show after Strictly It Takes Two host Fleur East revealed she would continue being part of the show.
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Alex and Johannes will be dancing a cha-cha-cha in Blackpool next weekend(Image: BBC/Guy Levy)
Sharing what the the pair’s next dance and song choice would be during tonight’s episode of the Strictly spin-off show on BBC Two, Fleur said: “Alex and Johannes will be dancing a cha-cha-cha to Ring My Bell by Anita Ward.” She added: “They’ll be hoping they can ring in some matching and cha-cha-charm us this weekend.”
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It comes after Alex released a statement reassuring fans she was alright following her daughter’s post, which sparked concern from fans.
Taking to Instagram, she told her followers she was “completely fine” and explained: “I just want to assure everyone that I am completely fine. It is a minor injury… it’s all part and parcel of dancing at these levels.
“The comment was made by my concerned and loving daughter… nothing more. I will be on the dance floor as early as tomorrow morning… rehearsing. Super excited for next week! Cha cha cha [dancer emojis].”
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It comes after Strictly was thrown into chaos this series, with four celebrities having pulled out of the show so far. Before it even started, Game of Thrones actor Kristian Nairn had to withdraw on medical advice. Then Love Island’s Dani Dyer had to drop out before the live shows after injuring her ankle in rehearsals.
They were replaced at the last minute by fellow Love Island and West End star Amber Davies and Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope. Next Neighbours legend Stefan Dennis – famous for playing Paul Robinson in the long-running Australian soap – pulled out due to injury telling fans: “I was told that I had torn my calf so significantly that I am now forced to withdraw from the show.”
Now it’s emerged that drag icon La Voix won’t make it to Blackpool next week after being forced to quit, also due to injury. On Saturday night host Tess Daly said: “As you may have heard, La Voix sustained an injury meaning she can’t dance in Blackpool and following medical advice from our team, we can now confirm that she has had to withdraw from the competition.”
Writing on social media, La Voix thanked fans for their support and posted: “I’m absolutely devastated to withdraw from Strictly Come Dancing. This isn’t the glittering exit I ever imagined, and it breaks my heart to feel like I’m letting people down.
“My spirit wanted to keep dancing but my foot has other ideas! Thank you for every cheer, every vote, and every sparkle of support – it’s meant the world to me. This isn’t the ending I imagined, but I’ll cherish this forever.”
