- Have YOU got a story? Email tips@dailymail.co.uk
A Strictly Come Dancing contestant has been forced to drop out of the upcoming Blackpool special after suffering an injury.
La Voix has been left ‘devastated and heartbroken’ after being advised by doctors to rest and focus on recovery.
Speaking in a statement, the Drag Race star, 45, real name Christopher Dennis, said: ‘It is with immense sadness that I have to withdraw from this weekend’s Strictly Come Dancing shows in Blackpool.
‘Due to an injury, I’ve been advised that I’m unable to perform, and my heart truly breaks knowing I won’t be dancing in such an iconic venue.
‘Aljaž and I have worked incredibly hard, and we were so excited to share our routine with everyone.
‘I am devastated not to be joining the rest of the cast on that famous dancefloor, but my focus now is on recovery. I’ll be cheering on all the amazing couples this weekend.’
Strictly Come Dancing contestant La Voix has been forced to drop out of the upcoming Blackpool special after suffering an injury
La Voix has been left ‘devastated and heartbroken’ after being advised by doctors to rest and focus on recovery (pictured with partner Aljaž Škorjanec)
A Strictly spokesperson explained: ‘Due to injury, La Voix has been advised by doctors to rest and, as a result, will not dance in this weekend’s Blackpool specials.
‘In line with the rules of Strictly Come Dancing, La Voix and Aljaž will receive a bye through to next week when it is hoped they will be able to dance again.
‘We wish La Voix the very best for a speedy recovery.’
Strictly Come Dancing will continue this weekend from Blackpool’s Tower Ballroom with six competing couples.
La Voix and their professional partner Aljaž Škorjanec closed last week’s show with their Couple’s Choice.
They performed to ‘Don’t Rain On My Parade’ by Barbra Streisand.
Once again the judges ‘loved it’, praising the performer’s stage presence before marking a respectable 33 out of 40.
Ahead of the performance La Voix left viewers emotional as she tearfully opened up about her beloved mother’s recent death.
La Voix and their professional partner Aljaž Škorjanec closed last week’s show with their Couple’s Choice and scored a respectable 33 out of 40
Ahead of the performance La Voix left viewers emotional as she tearfully opened up about her beloved mother’s recent death
The TV personality said her ‘world had gone’ in a moment following the ‘unexpected’ passing.
Ahead of her performance with pro partner Aljaž the entertainer paid a visit to ‘immensely supportive’ father Richard, who previously appeared with her on RuPaul‘s Drag Race UK, as they reflected on the recent loss.
Choking back tears, she said: ‘My mum was the same as my dad, equally supportive, she was there at every single show. I lost her in April this year so its only what 7/8 months’.
‘I did a massive West End show in London and she wasn’t well and I remember I’d gone from 1500 people clapping and cheering to the next day, just your world’s gone’.
Elsewhere, Strictly Come Dancing fans were left concerned after Vicky Pattison and pro partner Kai Widdrington were absent from It Takes Two on Monday.
The reality star, 38, became the seventh celebrity booted from the show on Sunday and missed a place in this week’s Blackpool special after losing the dreaded dance-off against EastEnders‘ Balvinder Sopal, 46, and Julian Caillon, 30.
Strictly’s latest evictee always appear on spin-off It Takes Two every Monday to discuss their exit and time in the competition, but this week host Fleur East revealed Vicky and Kai were not there.
She said: ‘This weekend we sadly said goodbye to Vicky and Kai. They can’t be with us tonight but will be joining us later on in the week’.
Following Fleur’s announcement fans rushed to X asking: ”No Vicky & Kai on It Takes Two tonight, hope thinks are ok’: ‘Where are Vicky and Kai?’: ‘Unusual to not have the departed couple on It Takes Two of a Monday, legit can’t remember this occurring before’: Wonder why the last minute change and no Vicky’.
A representative for Vicky Pattison told Daily Mail she will appearing on IT Takes Two on Wednesday.
Elsewhere, Strictly Come Dancing fans were left concerned after Vicky Pattison and pro partner Kai Widdrington were absent from It Takes Two on Monday
Meanwhile, Strictly Come Dancing is set to make history with a brand new format from the end of November that will challenge the remaining couples.
Instant Dance will see each couple pick a dance style at random from ones they have learnt in the competition so far.
They will then be played their accompanying music and – after a frantic dash through wardrobe to select and change into their costumes – each couple will have just 10 seconds on the countdown clock to decide exactly how they’re going to dance it.
Once all six Strictly couples have danced, the judges will rank them and award their extra marks accordingly.
Then, a maximum of six marks will be awarded to the couple whose Instant Dance performance impressed them the most, right down to one point for the couple whose dance impressed them the least.
Head judge Shirley Ballas said: ‘Instant Dance has the power to change everything for our couples, and will challenge them in ways they have never been challenged before.
‘With standards so incredibly high this year and the competition so close, there’s a lot resting on it.
‘The dance styles, costumes and music might not be revealed until the night, but what we can be sure of right now is that it’s going to be a whole lot of fun. I cannot wait!’
The exciting new format will take place towards the end of the month – Saturday 29 to be exact – once all six remaining couples have danced in the usual way.
Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturdays and Sundays on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.