Dancing On Ice professional Hamish Gaman has been forced to withdraw from this year's series due to injury.
The 37-year-old had been partnered with former Coronation Street actress Faye Brookes and the couple were the bookies' favourite to win the series, but he has now pulled out due to a hand injury.
The news is just the latest setback to hit the show, which has already seen four stars drop out due to either injury or positive coronavirus tests - prompting an enforced one-week break this weekend in an attempt to get the production back on track.
An ITV spokesperson said: "Sadly we can confirm that Hamish Gaman, who has been partnered with Faye Brookes, has had to withdraw from the competition.
"We thank him for all his hard work and wish him the very best as he takes some time out to allow his injury to fully heal."
Brookes will continue on in the competition with Matt Evers, who had been partnered with Denise van Outen before she withdrew due to injury.
Dancing On Ice returns to ITV on Sunday, February 28.
Neil Wilkes
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