Actress Jaime Winstone will not be dancing in the upcoming live show of Strictly Come Dancing after sustaining a torn abdominal muscle during training. The news was confirmed Wednesday, with Winstone expressing her devastation.
"I am absolutely devastated not to be dancing this weekend due to a torn abdominal muscle. I am in considerable pain, and my doctors have advised complete rest to give my body the best possible chance to heal," Winstone said in a statement. She added that she has to prioritize her health and follow medical advice to step away from dancing this week.
Due to the injury, Winstone and her professional partner Carlos Gu will receive a bye through to the following week's competition. Winstone expressed her hope to return to the dance floor soon and thanked fans for their support.
This is not the first instance of a contestant facing injury this series. Earlier in the season, Delta Goodrem had to miss a live show due to a rib injury, although she was able to perform the following week.
Winstone has been a frequent participant in the dance-off this season, having survived three previous eliminations. Last Saturday, she and Gu competed in the show's first-ever three-couple dance-off against Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu, and Lawrence Robb and Jowita Przystal. Robb was ultimately eliminated from the competition.
The actress's statement concluded with well wishes for the other contestants and staff. "Wishing everyone on the show all the luck, love and strength for Saturday night and I hope to be back on that dance floor very soon. With love, Jaime."