Dancing on Ice star quits ITV series just hours before live show after devastating injury
A DANCING on Ice star has been forced to leave the ITV series just hours before tonight’s live show after a devastating injury.
The ITV programme has already seen comedian Josh Jones withdraw from the competition after sustaining an injury in rehearsals.
And now in a further blow to the 2025 series, pro skater and former champ Vanessa Bauer has also had to quit the series due to injury.
Vanessa – who is paired up with Love Island star Chris Taylor – took to her Instagram page on Sunday to share a video announcing the sad news.
Vanessa said: “I’m here today with rather upsetting news. I am unfortunately not going to be able to continue on Dancing on Ice with Chris.
“That’s really upsetting for me. I have trained Chris since October last year and it is always such an amazing achievement for myself to see someone else progress so much in a skill they’ve never done before.
“So it’s been really rewarding for me to watch this whole journey for Chris [and] the way he’s got better week since October and also since the live shows started.
She then went on to explain what had happened and how she was having to put her health first.
Vanessa said: “I unfortunately had a little accident backstage last week on Dancing on Ice just before the live show on Sunday.
“And I didn’t realise how bad it was then, but we did an MRI and it turned out that I have a completely torn ligament, grade three sprain injury and a major grade two sprain injury.
“I shouldn’t be skating on an injury like that and so I’m taking all of the advice from the medical professionals here, I am in very good hands.”
Vanessa revealed she needs to have rehab for her injury before adding: “My pain threshold, I don’t trust it, I have been skating this whole week with a lot of pain but I just didn’t realise that it was such a significant injury so I didn’t voice my pain.
“It just goes to show that you should listen to your body and try to tune into your body a lot.
“I don’t want this injury that is already bad to get even worse and so the one sensible decision is to step away, do rehab, focus on my health – I guess mental health as well – because it’s really bad that I have to leave.”
But with a smile she added: “But I’m excited to get better and to get back to skating properly every single day.”
Vanessa was immediately flooded with support from her co-stars, with Ferne McCann – who was voted off last week – writing: “Oh darling [heartbreak emoji] devastating news for you.
Dancing On Ice 2025 pairings
Here's the 12 celebs taking part in 2025 - along with their professional partner.
Charlie Brooks and Eric Radford
Chris Taylor and Vanessa Bauer
Mollie Pearce and Colin Grafton
Michaela Strachan and Mark Hanretty
Dan Edgar and Vanessa James
Sir Steve Redgrave and Vicky Ogden
Anton Ferdinand and Annette Dytrt
Sam Aston and Molly Lanaghan
Josh Jones and Tippy Packard
Here’s who has left the show so far:
Chelsee Healey and Andy Buchanan
Ferne McCann and Brendyn Hatfield
Sarah Storey revealed she had quit on December 6, 2024. The Paralympian was partnered with Sylvain Longchambon.
“Health comes first. Wishing you a speedy recovery.”
Meanwhile Chris shared her video on his Instagram Stories and added: “While I’m here, let me tell you something about this woman.
“She is hands down the most committed, determined and inspirational woman I have ever met.
“She gives everything 2000% and it’s been an honour to be taught by her.
“Very, very sad we don’t get to finish this together, but you’ve got an annoying brother for life now.”
Dancing on Ice airs Sundays on ITV1.