TV presenter AJ Odudu has been forced to pull out of today's Strictly Come Dancing final after tearing a ligament in her right ankle.
She was on crutches earlier this week, but has now officially given up hope of competing for the glitterball trophy with dance partner Kai Widdrington. She said she was "deeply upset that I am unable to perform".
The final will now be contested by Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice, and John Whaite and Johannes Radebe. AJ detailed the investigations and treatments she has had in an attempt to recover in time, including ultrasounds, MRI scans and X-rays, two incisions to drain the inflammation around her ankle and being "strapped up to an ice compression machine for days".
She wrote on Twitter: "I've done all I can possibly do to get back on my feet for the @BBCStrictly final. I even asked the docs if I could perform in a medical moonboot!
"But the fact is, I can't stand on my feet let alone dance because I've torn my spring ligament."
She added that it had been an incredible honour to take part in the show over the past 13 weeks, and thanked Widdrington for being so special, patient and devoted.
"I know you were ready to be my human crutch on that dancefloor come tomorrow night," she wrote. "Gutted!"
She continued: "Strictly Come Dancing has been a lifelong dream and I'm glad it came true. Good luck to my partners in dance, John and Johannes and Rose and Giovanni. I will be cheering you on (on one leg!)"
Odudu, who is best known for presenting Big Brother spin-off Bit on the Side and the Channel 4 reality show spin-off Married at First Sight: Afters, had previously said she first felt the injury on Monday. Widdrington said she had been the absolute best partner I could ever have asked for in my first year on the show.
He added: "I've been absolutely honoured to get to dance with the incredible AJ Odudu for the last few months and although neither of us wanted our journey to end this way, AJ's health and safety are by far the most important things."
Strictly's executive producer Sarah James said: "Although this is not how we would have wanted her Strictly journey to end, AJ's health and wellbeing come first, and everyone involved in the show sends her all our love and wish her a speedy recovery." Whichever remaining couple wins the final, history will be made.
EastEnders actress Ayling-Ellis could become the first deaf contestant to triumph in the BBC One dance show, and is currently the bookmakers' favourite, while former Great British Bake Off champion Whaite and Radebe would be the first same-sex champions.
