Joe-Warren Plant and Vanessa Bauer will not be returning to Dancing On Ice this weekend, it has been confirmed.
The Emmerdale actor and his pro partner pulled out of the competition earlier this month after both of them tested positive for coronavirus.
However, ITV then took the decision to take the show off air for a week, sparking speculation that they could be brought back to the lineup following a number of dropouts.
"Everyone was expecting them to return," a source told The Sun. "When the idea was first mooted everyone thought producers were just being polite. But clearly they always wanted this to happen.
"Joe and Vanessa are absolutely gutted. They had no ill-effects of being positive for COVID-19, so have been keeping fit and healthy in the confines of their hotel walls while they were isolating.
"But ultimately the producers have to uphold the integrity of the show and felt inviting them back could really upset the apple cart."
Earlier today ITV announced that as a result of the dropouts, the series finale is to be brought forward by a week.
Neil Wilkes
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