Dancing On Ice has lost one of its most-loved performers after an accident backstage forced them to withdrawal from the competition

Dancing On Ice has been dealt another blow with a huge star quitting just hours before tonight’s live episode.

The news comes a week after comedian Josh Jones withdrew from the competition after he sustained an injury in rehearsals.

Hours before Sundays’ episode, professional Vanessa Bauer who is dancing with Love Island star Chris Taylor announced she was sadly pulling out of the show after an ‘accident backstage.’

In a self-filmed video, a glum looking Vanessa said: “I’m here today with rather upsetting news. I am unfortunately not going to be able to continue on Dancing on Ice with Chris.

“That’s really upsetting for me. I have trained Chris since October last year and it is always such an amazing achievement for myself to see someone else progress so much in a skill they’ve never done before. So it’s been really rewarding for me to watch this whole journey for Chris [and] the way he’s got better week since October and also since the live shows started.”

Vanessa Bauer was partnered with Chris Taylor for Dancing on Ice ( 
Image:
Instagram/@christophertaylorofficial)

Vanessa is heartbroken after an injury has left her unable to perform ( 
Image:
Instagram)
Vanessa then told fans she had no choice but to leave after an MRI scan revealed multiple injuries.

She said: “I unfortunately had a little accident backstage last week on Dancing on Ice just before the live show on Sunday.

“And I didn’t realise how bad it was then, but we did an MRI and it turned out that I have a completely torn ligament, grade three sprain injury and a major grade two sprain injury. I shouldn’t be skating on an injury like that and so I’m taking all of the advice from the medical professionals here, I am in very good hands.”

Chris Taylor spoke out after the news to reveal his devastation at Vanessa leaving the competition.

He described Vanessa as ‘determined, committed and inspirational’ in a heartfelt post responding to her early exit. “I’m very very sad but you have an annoying brother for life,” he told her.

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After sharing the post, Vanessa told fans: Thank you so much for your support this season and over the past 8 years! There is so much really exciting stuff happening year and I’m looking forward to being properly healed for it! I’ll be there supporting you every step along the way.”

It’s the latest blow for the injury-prone show after comedian Josh Jones was forced to withdraw last week.

The 32-year-old had been due to perform in the third episode of the ITV reality skating show on Sunday, but will leave the competition early alongside his skating partner Tippy Packard.

He did return to the show, but not the competition, telling presenters Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern: “So we were skating, and I went over on my ankle (during rehearsals)… and I kind of twisted my ankle. And I’ve got a cold sore as well, so I’ve got (two lumps).”

Comedian Josh Jones and skate partner Tippy Packard quit the show last week ( 
Image:
ITV)
Packard said: “We had so much potential to bring so many laughs to competition, and it’s a shame that we won’t be able to bring that journey.”

Willoughby said she and the show’s team “can’t quite believe” the news.

On Instagram, Jones wrote that he was “gutted”, and said he was “eliminated by gravity”.

He added: “Thanks so much to everyone on the show they have all been so lovely, but my main thanks are with Tippy, she’s amazing and I loved working with her.

“She’s genuinely one of the nicest people I’ve ever met so it’s been an absolute pleasure. Good luck to everyone else in the competition, I’ll be cheering you all on.”

A message on the official Dancing On Ice Instagram page said on Sunday: “Josh Jones sustained an injury during rehearsals and has had to withdraw from Dancing on Ice.

“Josh and Tippy’s partnership will be greatly missed. We will be helping to support Josh and wish him well with his recovery.”

The comedian has appeared on shows including Jonathan Ross’ Comedy Club and 8 Out Of 10 Cats, and has hosted the BBC Three competition Fast Food Face-Off. Dancing On Ice’s social media account said Jones and Packard’s “partnership will be greatly missed” and wished him a “speedy recovery”.