Why was Jason Donovan forced to quit 'Dancing On Ice'? Australian actor is fifth celebrity to leave this season
Australian actor and singer Jason Sean Donovan, as per reports on Monday, February 22, has become the fifth celebrity forced to quit this year's 'Dancing On Ice’. The reality TV series features celebrities and their professional partners figure skating in front of a panel of judges.
Earlier, West End performer and TV personality Denise Van Outen quit the series when she fractured her shoulder on the ice, while comedian Rufus Hound also stepped down after he tested positive for Covid-19. Reality star Billie Shepherd had to bow out early when she suffered a concussion during rehearsals, a week after missing a live show due to a personal bereavement. ‘Emmerdale’ star Joe-Warren Plant then became the fourth contestant to quit, after he and his skating partner Vanessa Bauer tested positive for Covid-19.
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Why did Jason Donovan quit the show?
The official Twitter account for ‘Dancing on Ice’ announced on Monday, “Sadly @JDonOfficial has had to withdraw from this year's #DancingOnIce due to an ongoing back injury. Our thanks go to Jason and his partner @AlexandraLukasz for being so wonderful and committed to the series. We’re sorry to see them leave and we wish Jason a speedy recovery.”
Sadly @JDonOfficial has had to withdraw from this year's #DancingOnIce due to an ongoing back injury. Our thanks go to Jason and his partner @AlexandraLukasz for being so wonderful and committed to the series. We’re sorry to see them leave and we wish Jason a speedy recovery 💗 pic.twitter.com/b4kkoQqAho
— Dancing on Ice (@dancingonice) February 22, 2021
As per reports, the former 'Neighbours' star and pop singer had been resting, and it was originally hoped that he would be able to compete. However, the injury hasn’t healed well enough for him to continue skating.
Speaking about Donovan and professional skating partner Alexandra Schauman’s exit from the show, a spokesperson told the media: “Jason Donovan has brought us so much joy with his performances on Dancing On Ice -- from Priscilla through to the tango. Our thanks go to Jason and his partner Alex for being so wonderful and committed to the series. We’re sorry to see them leave and we wish Jason a speedy recovery.”
Donovan missed the ITV show a week ago. The Sun reported on Valentine’s Day that he was in too much pain due to a back injury to take part in the previous episode.
A source told the tabloid last week, “It’s already a stretch making a two-hour episode of a TV show in a pandemic with a full cast. But if any more pull out they will struggle to fill the slot. They’re already panicking about numbers because the celebrities are dropping like flies. If Jason pulls out for good and there’s another injury, they could be forced off air. He couldn’t even rehearse on Saturday so he’s not looking good. It’ll take a few days before they know how bad it is.”
Following Donovan’s exit, a source said, “It's just utter carnage this year. There are injuries left right and center, and COVID on top of that. No one could have foreseen this level of dropouts."
Right now, only five celebrities remain in the competition -- rapper Lady Leshurr, former soap star Faye Brookes, Olympian Colin Jackson, media personality Rebekah Vardy, and radio presenter Sonny Jay.