Rufus Hound has reportedly broken the law after going to a busy park instead of isolating at home while waiting for the results of his Covid test.
The axed Dancing On Ice star, 41, is said to have visited Hampton Court Park, in west London, with his children on Tuesday just hours after having a swab for the virus.
In pictures obtained by The Sun, the comedian is seen donning a face mask and black tracksuit with the hood up as he strolls through the public area.
Claims: Rufus Hound has reportedly broken the law after going to a busy park instead of isolating at home while waiting for the results of his Covid test
He also added a pair of sunglasses for part of the outing with his children Alby and Hilda, who he shares with estranged wife Beth Johnson.
A source told the publication: ‘It was clear Rufus did not want to be seen.
‘He was tested on Tuesday and the rules state you must isolate until you know your results.
‘It didn’t matter either way, as he tested positive, which prompted his exit from the show. To openly break the rules is just shameless.’
MailOnline has contacted Rufus’ representative for a comment.
Not good: The comedian, who was axed from Dancing On Ice on Wednesday, was seen visiting the park with his children on Tuesday in pictures obtained by The Sun
The NHS website states: ‘It’s a legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive or are told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace. You could be fined if you do not self-isolate.’
You must self-isolate if you have any symptoms, have tested positive or have been in close contact with someone in your support bubble who has symptoms or has tested positive for Covid.
Rufus Hound announced he was no longer competing in Dancing On Ice in a tweet and video message on Wednesday evening.
His withdrawal comes after he had already missed two weeks of shows due to self-isolation – during which he tested positive with ‘a mild case’ of the virus.
Despite completing the government mandated quarantine time to recover from coronavirus, strict rules at ITV dictate he cannot return at all.
Show bosses confirmed that Rufus and his professional partner Robin Johnstone have both been axed from Dancing On Ice and will be replaced by Matt Richardson, 29, and his pro-skater partner Vicky Ogden this weekend.
He is the latest star to leave the show amid a series of unfortunate events, including Denise Van Outen’s departure due to injury, Graham Bell’s partner Yebin Mok’s injury and Billie Faiers’ one-week absence due to her grandmother’s death.
On January 23, it was revealed that Rufus would miss two shows after coming into contact with somebody with coronavirus. He had to pull out in accordance with government guidelines, which state that he had to isolate for 10 days.
Double ditch! A spokesperson for Dancing On Ice confirmed Rufus and his pro partner Robin Johnstone have both been axed from the skating show
In his own words: The comedian took to Twitter on Wednesday evening to announce in a video message that he has sadly had to withdraw from the ITV skating competition
During his isolation however, he discovered he had contracted the virus himself and despite completing the quarantine period, strict ITV rules state that he cannot return in a nod to the safety of stars and crew on the show.
Breaking the news to his 1m followers, Rufus tweeted: ‘I will no longer be participating Dancing On Ice. COVID is – as I’m sure we’re all well aware – a b**tard and sadly the world isn’t short of those.’
In an accompanying video from the comedian, Rufus admitted his disappointment as he said: ‘Hello it’s Rufus here, I’m going to keep this as brief as possible.
‘Lord knows this is not the first of these I’ve tried to record, they all seem to take a million years. So, I just really quickly want to say two things, the first is the news I won’t be participating in Dancing On Ice.
His replacement: Rufus will be replaced by Matt Richardson this weekend
‘Unfortunately having coming into contact with someone who had COVID and then isolating, it transpired that I myself had COVID. So I have dealt with that and quarantined and the like.
‘Unfortunately, the rules in Dancing On Ice are completely… very cut and dry, very strict because they need to keep everyone on the production as safe as possible.
‘So it seemed like when I was just quarantining there might be a window of opportunity for me to get back to the show… A window I now know doesn’t exist.’
In a statement, ITV spokesperson said: ‘We can confirm that following a positive test result, Rufus Hound is unable to return to Dancing On Ice this weekend.
Unexpected: Continuing on, Rufus admitted he had been excited to achieve more with Robin with the aim of making their performances ‘as crazy as possible’
‘Although Rufus and his partner Robin’s time on the ice has been all too brief, they can be truly proud of their achievements. We thank them for all their hard work and commitment to the show.’
With the departure of Rufus and Robin, comedian Matt Richardson and his pro-skater partner Vicky Ogden will replace them on the line up from this weekend.
Rufus will rejoin the cast for the finale when the stars do a group number, his pro partner Robin confirmed on Instagram on Thursday.
Earlier in the week, it was reported that bosses were ‘refusing to axe Hound’ after historic tweets by the star using racist and homophobic slurs resurfaced and he was told he ‘won’t be kicked off the show’.
New rules: The announcement of his departure comes after Dancing On Ice informed all the skaters that if they test positive for Covid-19 they will immediately be axed from the ITV show
A source claimed to The Sun that ITV was being hypocritical with Hound – following the axing of I’m A Celebrity star Jack Maynard back in 2017 after tweets emerged of him using racist and homophobic slurs.
A source told the website: ‘Dancing On Ice have made their position clear and while Rufus’s tweets have been quietly condemned, right now it’s not being seen as an offence which would require his removal.
‘It seems there is one rule for some, and one for another. After Jack was taken off I’m A Celebrity for the same kind of tweets, it was assumed that Rufus would be told he should step down.
‘But it’s been made clear to those working on the show that they’re standing by him.’
It was previously reported Dancing on Ice bosses were facing calls to remove Hound from the show after he tweeted claims that Theresa May planned the Manchester Arena terror attack.
Scandal: Earlier in the week, it was reported that bosses were ‘refusing to axe Hound’ after historic tweets by the star using racist and homophobic slurs resurfaced