Strictly Come Dancing: Final marred by injuries and Covid blows

Overall, it’s been one of our favourite ever series of Strictly Come Dancing. On Saturday night, AJ Odudu and Kai Widdrington, Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice, and John Whaite and Johannes Radebe will take to the dancefloor once more to try and win the coveted Glitterball trophy.

AJ Odudu’s injury

And while we’re expecting an amazing night of dancing, there have been a few setbacks for Strictly producers this week. The biggest worry is for finalist AJ Odudu - who sustained an injury earlier this week. Taking to Instagram, she revealed to fans on Wednesday:

I've got a repeated traumatic impact injury to my right ankle affecting the joint, capsule and ligaments themselves. I can't pinpoint a moment it actually happened during training but the pain came on suddenly on Monday night.

She went on to reveal that she had thrown up from the pain and has been left on crutches and unable to rehearse all week. However, she credited her pro partner Kai with supporting her ‘emotionally and physically’ and it sounds like the couple are hoping to dance on Saturday night. We’re sending AJ all the best!

Strictly final absences

Aside from AJ’s injury, a few faces will also sadly be missing from the final. Traditionally, all of the series’ eliminated contestants return in the final for a group dance. However, this year’s sixth-placed star Tilly Ramsay won’t be able to attend as she has tested positive for Covid. While clearly gutted, the 20-year-old promised to be cheering the finalists on from her sofa. Wishing Tilly a speedy recovery!

Meanwhile, comedian Robert Webb will also be giving the final a miss. He was forced to withdraw from Strictly on doctors’ orders three weeks into the show due to heart problems and remains unable to dance. He told his Instagram followers:

The producers understood that when I had to stop, I had to stop completely… the offer of one more dance was politely declined.

Robert and Tilly will certainly be missed!