Dancing On Ice star Kye Whyte has been dropped from this week’s show after injuring his wrist during rehearsals.
The professional BMX rider – who is paired with American skater Tippy Packard – suffered a sprained knee after medical professionals advised him not to take part in this weekend’s show.
Kye, 22, got off to a positive start on the ice after impressing fans with her opening skate but will be forced to sit out Sunday’s show following an 11th-hour accident.
He is the second celebrity to retire with an injury after former S Club 7 star Rachel Stevens suffered a broken wrist before her debut on the show, which returned with a 14th series just ago three weeks.
He’s out: Dancing On Ice star Kye Whyte has been dropped from this week’s show after injuring his wrist during rehearsals (pictured with skate partner Tippy Packard)
A source from the show confirmed, “During rehearsals for this Sunday’s show, Kye fell on the ice and injured himself and will therefore not be performing in this weekend’s show.”
Kye added: “It’s an unfortunate accident. I trained and worked hard with Tippy to play this weekend. For me, as an athlete, I’m used to this kind of things where you get hurt and can’t compete.
“I’m more sad for Tippy, she’s worked hard so obviously not being able to skate is upsetting. We both really wanted to do this number, it’s a cool performance and we put a lot of effort into it.
“I was so happy and excited for everyone when they skated last weekend. I was watching and looking forward to skating this Sunday. I will be there to encourage everyone!
Previously: He is the second celebrity to retire with an injury after former S Club 7 star Rachel Stevens suffered a broken wrist before her debut on the show
Gutted: ‘I was so happy and excited for everyone when they skated last weekend. I was watching and looking forward to skating this Sunday. I will be there to encourage everyone!
Contestant Rachel Stevens recently admitted she “had to learn to skate again” ahead of her Dancing On Ice debut.
Speaking This Morning on Friday, the S Club star, 43, revealed she was ‘nervous’ watching last week’s show despite being seated apart.
Appearing alongside partner Brendyn Hadfield, 36, she said: “It’s been hectic, we practiced off the ice, Monday we were back on the ice.”
“I was so nervous even though I wasn’t skating watching the last show. There was such frustration not being on the ice, coming back on Monday and learning the routine has been a lot. I’m learning to skate again.
Brendyn added: “We’ve had a tough time but we’re communicating and we’re doing it again. Being away from the ice changes the way you feel. Mentally, we are in a good place now.
Debut: Rachel Stevens said she had to learn to skate again for her Dancing On Ice debut after she broke her wrist while training for the show
Hurt: Speaking This Morning on Friday, the S Club star, 43, revealed she was ‘nervous’ watching last week’s show as she sat on the sidelines
Commenting on her previous experience on the ice, Rachel explained: “I’m totally new to it. I’m not a trained dancer, I did Strictly which is similar but with ice cream it’s totally different. It’s such a fine line. I don’t want to fall.
But Brendyn praised Rachel, adding: ‘She carries herself so elegantly. We start with a few steps, then we stop, then we throw it in the air.
Despite her nerves, Rachel admitted, “I love it, when it’s real, it’s so amazing, they make it look so easy the pros. My brain will do it and the body just can’t.
Partnership: Appearing alongside partner Brendyn Hadfield, 36, she said: ‘It’s been hectic, we practiced off the ice, Monday we were back on the ice’
The duo will dance to a track from Moulin Rouge by Patti LaBelle this Saturday.
Speaking about her injury, Rachel revealed, “My wrist has healed really well. I’ve had a few falls and landed on this wrist and on the last fall I was like “oh, I did something there”.
Earlier this week Rachel admitted to MailOnline it was ‘frustrating and scary’ being forced to miss her first skate on the show.
‘Love it’: Despite her nerves, Rachel admitted: “Love it, when it’s real it’s so amazing they make it look so easy the pros. My brain will do it and the body won’t just can’t’
The S Club 7 star picked up the injury in a pre-Christmas training session but insisted she was healing “very well”.
In an exclusive interview, the singer expressed her gratitude for still being able to enter the competition despite the “wobbles” she encountered along the way.
“I had my wobbles for sure. When I undertake something, I want to give it my all.
“It’s been frustrating and scary but at the same time, Brendyn [Hatfield] was so amazing and the team around me was so supportive and I received amazing medical advice.
“We did everything we could off the ice. We have worked so hard that I have my fingers crossed when I get back I can give it my all,” she said.
Dancing On Ice continues Sunday at 6.30pm on ITV.
In the right place: Brendyn added: ‘We’ve had a tough time but we’re communicating and we’re doing it again. Being away from the ice changes the way you feel. Mentally we’re in a good place now’
