Billie Faiers has broken her silence after she was forced to withdraw from Dancing On Ice 2021 after suffering a fall during training on Friday.
The Mummy Diaries star, 31, took to Instagram on Sunday morning to upload a photo of herself with professional partner Mark Hanretty from their ‘first and last’ dance as she admitted she’s ‘so, so gutted’.
Media personality Billie has become the third contestant to pull out of the competition after Rufus Hound tested positive for Covid twice and Denise Van Outen fractured her shoulder.
‘I’m so, so gutted’: Billie Faiers has broken her silence after she withdrew from Dancing On Ice 2021 after suffering a fall during training (pictured with Mark Hanretty last month)
The mother-of-two wrote: ‘Our first and last dance. I am so so sad that our @dancingonice journey has come to an end after an accident in rehearsals on Friday causing me a head injury, forcing us out of the competition.’
The businesswoman went on to praise dancer Mark, 35, for supporting her during her stint as she added: ‘@markhanretty A true friend for life, you have been the most incredible partner throughout all of this, I mean you taught me to skate for one.
‘Thank you for being so kind, supportive, patient, understanding, and thank you for being such a happy, positive person when I needed it the most.’
The former TOWIE star also explained how she used skating as a ‘distraction’ following her beloved grandmother’s death.
‘I’m going to miss it’: The Mummy Diaries star, 31, took to Instagram on Sunday to upload a photo of herself with professional partner Mark Hanretty from their ‘first and last’ dance
Billie shared: ‘It’s been a tough couple of weeks personally for me and coming back to skating this week has really been a great distraction. I am so so gutted we can’t perform tonight, we worked so so hard on this week’s routine.
‘However, although it has sadly been cut short , being part of @dancingonice has been the best experience, I have met some wonderful people and I actually feel quite proud of myself that I pushed myself so far out of my comfort zone and faced some of my biggest fears.
‘I’m going to miss being part of this incredible show so much. I wish all of the rest of cast so much luck and I will be cheering you all on every Sunday, you are all amazing !!!
‘Thank you to everyone for your kind messages and support throughout all of this. It means so much to me and I am so grateful.’ (sic)
‘We worked so hard’: The former TOWIE star also explained how she used skating as a ‘distraction’ following her beloved grandmother’s death
An ITV spokesperson confirmed to MailOnline the former glamour model quit the show after suffering a concussion and will not be replaced for the remainder of the series.
According to The Mirror, the Essex native went to hospital for an MRI scan after being left unconscious following the accident.
A representative said: ‘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.’
Ouch! An ITV spokesperson confirmed to MailOnline the former glamour model quit the show after suffering a concussion (pictured in January)
Billie had previously taken a week-long break from the show following the death of her nan Wendy.
A DOI spokesperson said at the time: ‘Sadly due to a family bereavement this week Billie Shepherd is taking a break from the ice and won’t be on Sunday’s show. We look forward to her returning next week and send her all of our love at this sad time.’
During her short-lived Dancing On Ice stint, the TV star only performed once as her Spice Girls-themed skate earned a score of 25 points out of 40.
Comedian Rufus took to social media on Wednesday evening to announce he has had to withdraw from the show.
His departure came after he had already missed two weeks of shows due to self-isolation – during which he tested positive with ‘a mild case’ of Covid.
Despite completing the government mandated quarantine time to recover from coronavirus, strict rules at ITV dictated he couldn’t return at all.
Sad news: Media personality Billie has become the third contestant to pull out of the competition after Rufus Hound tested positive for Covid twice (pictured)
Show bosses confirmed that Rufus and his professional partner Robin Johnstone were both axed from Dancing On Ice and will be replaced by Matt Richardson, 29, and his pro-skater partner Vicky Ogden this weekend.
Breaking the news to his 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 his own words: Comedian Rufus took to social media on Wednesday evening to announce he has had to withdraw from the show
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.
‘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.
It’s hoped that when the full cast reunite for the series’ final, Rufus will be able to be back in the studio with everyone.
Ahead of his axe, Rufus had already missed two live shows of the competition after isolating because he came into contact with someone with Covid, before testing positive with a ‘mild case’ himself.
His replacement: The funnyman will be replaced by comedian Matt Richardson this weekend
The announcement of his departure from the show came after Dancing On Ice informed all the celebrity skaters and their professional partners that if they test positive for coronavirus they will immediately be axed from the ITV show.
An ITV spokeswoman has explained to MailOnline: ‘We have stringent protocols to ensure the health and safety of all our contributors and staff which are routinely monitored and updated to reflect government guidelines.’
‘Following the guidance on isolation, a positive Covid-19 diagnosis for any of our cast at this stage would mean two weeks missed and sadly an end to their time on the show. It has always been the case that no celebrity skater has missed more than one public vote.’
Another exit: Denise Van Outen was forced to pull out of the competition early due to injury as she learned she’d fractured her shoulder in training (pictured in January with Matt Evers)
Filling in her shoes: Retired Olympic gymnast Amy Tinkler served as the TOWIE narrator’s replacement (pictured last week with Joe Johnson)
Meanwhile, TOWIE narrator Denise was replaced by retired Olympic gymnast Amy Tinkler after doctors discovered she had three bone fractures in her shoulder which meant she’d be unable to perform any lifts or solo skating.
She wrote at the time: ‘GUTTED! If you’ve been watching @dancingonice you will be aware that just over a week ago I had a nasty fall and injured my shoulder. I managed to skate my first dance with @themattevers on the live show through a gritted smile because the pain was unbearable…
‘I’ve tried as hard as I can to carry on because I love the show and the amazing team in front and behind the cameras. Initially we thought with rest I could make a return to the ice, but a recent MRI scan has shown that I have three bone fractures as well as a partial dislocation. OUCH! No wonder I’ve been in agony.’
New rules: It came Dancing On Ice informed all the skaters that if they test positive for Covid-19 they will immediately be axed from the ITV show