Strictly Come Dancing star Stefan Dennis gives update on show injury - 'I was petrified'
The Neighbours star became the third celebrity to withdraw from this year's seriesStrictly Come Dancing favourite Stefan Dennis has finally revealed just how bad his injury really was – and it turns out the situation was far more serious than viewers first realised.
The Neighbours legend became the third celeb to bow out of this year’s BBC dance-off after a brutal calf injury left him unable to continue. At the time, it sounded disappointing. Now, after his candid chat on Good Morning Britain today (December 11), it sounds downright terrifying.
Stefan admitted doctors had warned him he might never fully recover if he pushed on, making his decision to quit less of a choice and more of a necessity. It’s a sobering update from a star who threw himself into the competition, and fans will no doubt be relieved he stepped back before things got worse.
Stefan Dennis discusses Strictly injury
Speaking ahead of his final appearance as Paul Robinson in Neighbours’ last-ever episode, Stefan was also quizzed by presenters Kate Garraway and Richard Madeley about his Strictly journey.
The star was initially ‘stuck in the UK’ due to his injury preventing him from travelling.
“Talking about going out with a bang,” Kate deftly segued onto the topic. “Strictly! How frustrating was that? We wanted more of you, Stefan!”
I’m dosed up to the eyeballs on painkillers.
“I know,” Stefan grimaced. “The problem was, by the time I got to the Charleston, which was the last dance I did, I got it. Because I was petrified up until that point. I went: ‘I’ve got this now, I know exactly what to do.’ And then on the Monday morning the doctor said: ‘No you’re not, you’re out, goodbye!’
“I tore my calf muscle very very badly during rehearsal,” he explained.
“When you see me doing that dance,” he went on, indicating a video clip playing in the background, “I’m dosed up to the eyeballs on painkillers. [They said] I was going to do irreparable damage, I was going to tear my Achilles.”
‘It’s anybody’s game’
The presenters also seized the opportunity to get Stefan’s prediction on who will win the competition, with concludes next weekend (December 20).
“I thought Lewis [Cope] was going to do it,” the 67-year-old actor shared. Agreeing with the bookies, he added: “But now my money’s on George [Clarke]. But, really, it’s anybody’s game.”
Stefan’s appearance came as his wife, Gail, paid tribute to the actor, as his last-ever episode of Neighbours airs in Australia. “It’s the end of an era,” she posted alongside a picture of her husband.
“We are so proud of you Darling. Now for our new and exciting chapter.”
His Strictly partner Dianne Buswell commented: “The best of the best.”
Who could take home the trophy?
Strictly’s latest voting wobble is still haunting Amber Davies, and the bookies aren’t exactly offering much comfort. Just days after landing in the bottom two, her odds of lifting the Glitterball have taken a sharp downturn.
BetMGM now has the Love Island winner at 40/1 to clinch the title alongside partner Nikita Kuzmin. To make matters worse, she’s 8/5 to be the next celeb sent packing – narrowly behind Balvinder Sopal, who leads the elimination odds at 4/7.
Meanwhile, at the opposite end of the leaderboard, it’s all looking rather cosy for Karen Carney and George Clarke. The former Lioness is the firm favourite on 4/5, while George sits close behind at 9/10.
Balvinder, despite her underdog streak, is 34/1 to win – and Amber is currently drifting even lower. It’s shaping up to be a nail-biting weekend on the dance floor.
