Dancing on Ice star, Billie Faiers, has been forced to bow out of the series after suffering concussion from a fall.
The reality TV star is the third celebrity to quit Dancing on Ice - after Denise Van Outen pulled out due to an injury and Rufus Hound withdrew after testing positive for covid-19.
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Her departure means that Billie, 31, only skated once during her time on the show after she missed last weekend’s skate following the sudden death of her grandmother.
The mum-of-two was due to return to the rink this weekend but has been advised by doctors to pull out of the competition after hitting her head during rehearsals.
Denise Van Outen was forced to pull out of Dancing on Ice
Billie was taken to hospital, where she had an MRI scan. And, following doctor’s orders, has now pulled out of the show.
An ITV spokesperson confirmed the news, saying, "During rehearsals for this week’s show, Billie Shepherd has had a fall.
"Taking the expert advice of the Dancing On Ice medical team, she sadly cannot perform this weekend and will therefore now withdraw from the competition. We wish Billie well as she now takes the time to rest and recover.”
On Sunday morning, Billie said she was “gutted” to have to leave the show and praised her partner Mark Hanretty, for being a “friend for life.”
Billie will not be replaced by another celebrity, despite Amy Tinkler taking Denise Van Outen’s spot on the show and Matt Richardson joining after Rufus’ departure.
Tonight will see radio DJ, Matt Richardson, skate for the first time with professional partner, Vicky Ogden.
And, while he’s thrilled to be joining the competition, the former Xtra Factor host said there’s one person he wishes could see him skate - and that’s his late friend, Caroline Flack.
He told The Sun, “Obviously we worked together lots, but she was a really good mate of mine.
"Like she was one of my best friends in the world. And it’s weird, actually when I got the call to go onto the show this week, she would have been one of the first people that I'd have rung."
Caroline took her own life in February last year, leaving her family and friends - Matt included - devastated.
