Strictly’s Will Bayley faces quitting show TOMORROW due to knee injury as Katya and Neil also walk wounded
PARALYMPIAN Will Bayley faces quitting Strictly Come Dancing tomorrow due to a painful knee injury sustained in rehearsals.
Doctors have told the gold medal-winning table tennis player he would probably be ruled out of Saturday’s live show and the rest of the series.
He was due for final consultations with a specialist tomorrow morning after landing awkwardly during a jump.
Strictly sources say his chances of performing are “less than slim” and it is thought a formal decision will be announced tomorrow.
A number of other stars are also struggling with injuries.
Pro Katya Jones couldn’t train today due to a neck injury, so her and partner Mike Bushell, who were in the bottom two at the weekend, did not practice.
Her ex-husband Neil Jones was also unable to train, with Kevin Clifton stepping in to rehearse with former footballer Alex Scott after performing with her on Saturday’s show.
Will, who is paired with prof dancer Janette Manrara, will have insufficient time to train having been on enforced rest because of the knee ligament damage. Celebrities must put in at least 12 hours of rehearsals a week.
A show source said: “Will is devastated as he’s put everything into the series and a freak injury looks like it may well be the end of the road for him.
“He’s got a final consultation today and that could be it.
“He’s already had a number of appointments with doctors and physios to see if there is any way he can get through, but with each day of training he misses the less likely it is.
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“And the other headache is that he doesn’t want to do any lasting damage that could affect his table tennis career — particularly with the Paralympics next year.”
The source added: “There are quite a few on the treatment table at the moment so producers are hoping there are some quick recoveries, particularly with Katya and Neil.
“In an ideal world they will both be able to shake off their knocks in time for the weekend so that Alex and Mike are not left needing stand-in professionals.”
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