ROBERT Webb has announced he is QUITTING Strictly just three weeks in due to poor health.
The comedian and his dancing partner Diane Buswell have released a statement this evening confirming their departure – explaining that it was due to ill health following major heart surgery.
Robert said in a statement: “I’m extremely sorry to have to announce that I’m withdrawing from Strictly Come Dancing due to ill health. Two years ago I had open heart surgery and although I believed I was fit enough to take on Strictly and its demanding schedule, it became clear that I had bitten off way more than I could chew for this stage in my recovery.
"I had begun to feel symptoms that led me to seek an urgent consultation with my heart specialist, and it was her view that it would be better for the sake of my health to step back from the show."
The Peep Show star said he was "extremely proud" of the three dances he and Diane had performed and added that "couldn’t have wished for a more talented partner or more patient teacher".
Read our Strictly Come Dancing live blog below for the latest updates…
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The show must go on
STRICTLY Come Dancing have confirmed that they WILL eliminate another celebrity this weekend – despite Robert Webb's shock exit.
Robert underwent major heart surgery in 2019, and was struggling with the gruelling training and energetic routines.
Despite the unexpected departure, Strictly bosses have confirmed to The Sun that another celeb will follow Robert out of the door this weekend.
Saturday's live show will also go ahead as normal, with the pre-recorded results show to air on Sunday night.
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Robert Webb on his intense Strictly schedule
Speaking before his departure, the comedian said: “We do 8am till 6pm training — It is a lot. I was not out of shape but I have lost weight since starting it. When jumping up and down for ten hours a day it is going to have an effect.
“So what is Strictly like? When it is good it is really good. The best part is the performance on a Saturday night — like getting through it and it is not a disaster.
“The difference with this job is that it sort of does not know it is just a job. It thinks it is a cult or it is something bigger. And I have never been in a show that is an actual institution.”
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Robert Webb on the heart defect that nearly killed him
Robert Webb said had been feeling rough for some time when he went for check-up just before lockdown began in March last year – but his doctor told him he was close to death.
Speaking at Oxfordshire’s Henley Literary Festival, he said: “I just thought: ‘This is my lifestyle and this is what it feels like to be 47.’
“But it’s a birth defect — one of the valves in my heart had prolapsed instead of opening and shutting nicely. It had almost doubled in size, it was this really weird shape and it was doing all this just to keep the show on the road.
“My heart thought that I was running up a hill when I was asleep, and I had not noticed. I thought: ‘Well, I am tired, as I treat my body like a skip.’
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Dianne Buswell pays tribute to Robert
The dance pro said: “As a massive fan of Robert’s, I was delighted to find out that he was joining the Strictly family. On top of this, to find out he was my partner was the icing on the cake. We made a great team, worked hard and had a good laugh along the way.
"I am so proud of the three amazing dances we produced. I know Robert had a lot more to give to the competition but his health of course comes first and I wish him a speedy recovery. I feel lucky to have danced with him and to call him a friend."
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More of Robert Webb's statement
Robert said: "I’m proud of the three dances that Dianne Buswell and I managed to perform and deeply regret having to let her down like this. I couldn’t have wished for a more talented partner or more patient teacher, and it’s a measure of Dianne’s professionalism and kindness that I was able to get as far as I did.
"Thanks too to everyone at home who voted for us. It was always going to be a difficult mountain to climb (for one thing it’s made of glitter so it’s very skiddy) and I’ve been especially touched by the support from fellow heart patients.
"I think perhaps I was too eager to impress them. They will know that recovery doesn’t always go in a straight line, and I hope they’re not too disappointed that I ran into the limits of my resilience much sooner than I’d hoped.
"I leave knowing that Strictly viewers are in very safe hands and I’ll be cheering for my brother and sister contestants all the way to Christmas. Despite this sad ending, it has been a genuine honour to be part of this huge, joyful and barking mad TV show. Long may it continue.”
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BREAKING: Robert Webb to leave Strictly
STRICTLY Come Dancing's Robert Webb and Dianne Buswell have QUIT the competition – just days before the fourth live episode.
The pair released a statement this evening confirming their departure – explaining that it was due to ill health following major heart surgery.
Robert said in a statement: “I’m extremely sorry to have to announce that I’m withdrawing from Strictly Come Dancing due to ill health. Two years ago I had open heart surgery and although I believed I was fit enough to take on Strictly and its demanding schedule, it became clear that I had bitten off way more than I could chew for this stage in my recovery.
"I had begun to feel symptoms that led me to seek an urgent consultation with my heart specialist, and it was her view that it would be better for the sake of my health to step back from the show."
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Unimaginable horror
Greg Wise’s son was kidnapped, turned into a child soldier and left homeless before his celebrity adoption.
Tindyebwa Agaba’s has previously revealed the harrowing story of his early life before he became part of the family in 2003.
Tindy, who is the eldest child of Greg, 55, and wife Emma Thompson, suffered unimaginable horror before he was brought to the UK.
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Where are they now?
Of the seven other Strictly pros who twirled around celebrities for our entertainment every Saturday 17 years ago, some remain in the public eye while others have shied away from the spotlight.
The reasons they departed the show vary greatly, from moving overseas to being axed after a row with producers.
Here we take a closer look at where the original Strictly pros are now – as well as some of the more memorable dancers from past series.
- Married to Hollyoaks star – Camilla Dallerup
- Sacked for dancing with royal – Brendan Cole
- ‘Sobbed’ over Strictly axing – Lilia Kopylova and Darren Bennett
- Married to celeb partner – Flavia Cacace
- Reality TV star – Vincent Simone
- Owns dance studio – Matthew Cutler
- Triple world dance champion – Hanna Karttunen
Read the full list here.
Inside Strictly’s biggest spats
EVERYONE’S heard of the Strictly Curse, but some couples have come closer to a punch-up than a hook-up.
Celebrities and their professional dance partners don’t always get along like a house on fire, with backstage bust-ups often casting a shadow on the glitzy competition.
This year’s couple rumoured to be feuding behind the scenes are Hollyoaks actress Katie McGlynn, 28, and Gorka Marquez.
Strictly fans were convinced the couple didn’t get along after spotting “tension” between them during their dances.
It came after the pair appeared to have disagreed over the amount of time that Katie spent rehearsing as she skipped dancing to film Hollyoaks.
She was spotted in Liverpool filming for the Channel 4 soap as Gorka, 31, moaned ahead of their performance that they had “no hours to train”.
Read more some of the biggest spats here.
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Hollywood A-lister SNUB
HOLLYWOOD giant Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson “ignored” a request to record a message for Strictly’s Movie Week, according to Rylan Clark-Neal.
The It Takes Two host, 32, claimed producers reached out to the A-list star ahead of Oti Mabuse and Ugo Monye’s Moana performance on Saturday night.
Speaking to Oti and Ugo on Tuesday night’s Strictly spin-off It Takes Two, Rylan said: “We thought…you did put a lot into it, so we wanted to give you something in return.”
Looking excited, Ugo asked: “The wig?!”
Rylan replied: “It’s not the wig, I’ve actually taken that home!
“We know how much this dance meant to you and we thought why don’t we get a message from Maui himself.”
But just as Oti and Ugo’s eyes grew wide, Rylan continued: “So we reached out to Dwayne The Rock Johnson…and he ignored our pleas!”
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Party ban
Strictly stars have reportedly been “banned” from attending parties amid fears a Covid outbreak could ruin the show.
The Mirror claims contestants have been told to avoid going to big events in a bid to steer clear of catching the virus.
A show insider told the paper: “Paranoia is swirling round the BBC studios – everyone is fearful of getting Covid and ruining their chances.
“They’ve been advised to avoid big events or partying – anything that could see them testing positive for the virus.
“Producers have been very clear that health and safety come first, which means contestants have had to forego painting the town red as was customary in previous years.”
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Betvictor odds – top five favourites to win
Following the show this weekend, Betvictor has updated their odds on which celebs are most likely to win and which celebs are at most risk of elimination.
- John Whaite 6/4
- Rose Ayling-Ellis 7/4
- AJ Odudu 4/1
- Rhys Stephenson 14/1
- Adam Peaty 14/1
Frenemies?
Strictly’s Dan Walker has revealed he voted for his RIVAL as he urged fans to back them instead of him.
Fans voted to keep The BBC presenter and his professional dance partner, Nadiya Bychkova in the competition despite making a mistake during their foxtrot to Sleeping Beauty.
Dan, 44, had other ideas though and was determined to get behind his co-star Rose Ayling-Ellis to win the show.
The EastEnders actress, 26, is the first deaf person to star in the prime time dancing show.
Dan said: “I know I’m in it but I would give Rose Ayling-Ellis the glitterball now. I voted for her.
“She’s amazing, her foxtrot with Giovanni was magical and she is inspiring people every week.
“My family also sat next to hers last night and they are adorable too.”
Craig Revel Horwood ‘wants unvaccinated dancers banned’
STRICTLY judge Craig Revel Horwood wants to ban unvaccinated dancers from the UK tour, sources say.
Craig, the tour director since 2012, is said to be keen to replace them with other performers.
A source said: “Craig’s view is that there will always be a dancer to replace anyone who hasn’t been double-jabbed.
“He would like the tour policy to be, ‘No jab, no job.’
“But it remains to be seen if he can achieve that when it comes to bookings.
“Past tours have seen celebs with partners they were not with on the show so, in theory, dancers could be swapped out.”
‘Just call me Rylan’
NEWLY single Rylan Clark has asked the BBC to call him ‘Rylan’ – after dropping husband Dan Neal’s last name.
The It Takes Two host was credited by his first name only when he appeared on Strictly spin-off show, while co-host Janette Manrara was credited by her full name.
“He thought it was best to have a fresh start and the easiest way to do that was to go back to just one name,” Strictly sources tell The Sun.
“He didn’t want to make a big fuss – just to change it onscreen.”
Any reference to the popular presenter’s last names have also been deleted from his Twitter account.
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Adam Peaty ‘understands’ the curse
Adam also admitted to understanding why couples are rocked by the show’s famous ‘curse’.
The world record holder is having a blast learning a new skill and being put through his paces by pro dancer Katya Jones, 32.
Demonstrating a saucy manoeuvre during an interview with The Times, he said: “My hips are here, hers are here, and then we do this… You get close. I can see how it happens.”
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AJ Odudu ‘falling for partner Kai Widdrington’
The bubbly TV presenter, 33, has “electric chemistry” with the cheeky pro salsa dancer, 25, and they are connecting on and off the dance floor, they believe.
Cast and crew are even betting on the pair hooking up. It would see them become the first romance of the series.
Yesterday, AJ posted a picture of newcomer Kai’s six pack on social media.
A Strictly insider said: “Everyone backstage is talking about the sparks flying between AJ and Kai. It’s very passionate and intense whenever they’re together.
“They’re both single and have really hit it off and everyone on the show is saying it’s only a matter of time.
“They’re always laughing and flirting — romance is 100 per cent on the cards.
“Kai is totally AJ’s type. He’s got loads of banter and he’s been blown away by her, too.”
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Next Elimination Odds
Greg Wise is predicted to be up for elimination this weekend, according to Betvictor.
While Wise wasn’t the lowest scoring celeb last week, he is one of the weaker dancers on the show.
Next Elimination Odds
- Greg Wise 15/8
- Ugo Monye 4/1
Katie & Gorka’s ‘weird’ dancing
Strictly Come Dancing’s Katie McGlynn has admitted that it is “weird” dancing with professional partner Gorka Marquez amid feud rumours.
The pair were previously forced to hit back at speculation that they don’t get along, with viewers picking up on their “tense” body language.
Now 28-year-old Katie has confessed that she struggled with being in such close proximity to somebody else following social distancing rules amid the pandemic.
The star explained: “With Covid, I have been social distanced from other actors, so it’s just weird having to be close to somebody.
“When we did the tango it just felt very strange having to be that close to somebody and you kind of have to move as one, in sync. So it’s very strange.
“But like I said, all this is brand new to me so I’m just absorbing it all and trying to get better.”
Fans devastated after Shirley opted to save Judi
Fans were left devastated when Shirley opted to save Judi on Sunday – meaning that Katie lasted just a fortnight on the dancefloor.
Taking to Twitter, one fan raged: “That is a shame. Neither Judi nor Katie deserve to be in the dance off. This is meant to be a dance contest, not a popularity one, but every year it clearly is!”
Another complained: “What a load of crap Dan should be in the dance off. Judi & Katie both deserve to stay on the show.”
A third agreed: “Katie shouldn’t have gone, neither should’ve been in the dance off. It’s a shame.”
Adam Peaty ‘understands’ the curse
Adam also admitted to understanding why couples are rocked by the show’s famous ‘curse’.
The world record holder is having a blast learning a new skill and being put through his paces by pro dancer Katya Jones, 32.
Demonstrating a saucy manoeuvre during an interview with The Times, he said: “My hips are here, hers are here, and then we do this… You get close. I can see how it happens.”
- Milica Cosic
Making sacrifices
STRICTLY’S Adam Peaty revealed he missed his son George’s first birthday due to filming the BBC show.
His absence didn’t go down well with girlfriend Eiri Munro, 23, but he did his best to make it up the following day.
Asked by the Mirror if he celebrated the special occasion last month, Adam, 26, said: “No, we were filming that day.
“We wrapped at 10.30pm so I drove straight home, ready to celebrate it the next day.
“It didn’t go down too well but that’s the difficult thing when you do this, everyone has to understand.”
- Milica Cosic
Next Elimination Odds
Greg Wise is predicted to be up for elimination this weekend, according to Betvictor.
While Wise wasn’t the lowest scoring celeb last week, he is one of the weaker dancers on the show.
Next Elimination Odds
- Greg Wise 15/8
- Ugo Monye 4/1
Betvictor odds – top five favourites to win
Following the show this weekend, Betvictor has updated their odds on which celebs are most likely to win and which celebs are at most risk of elimination.
- John Whaite 6/4
- Rose Ayling-Ellis 7/4
- AJ Odudu 4/1
- Rhys Stephenson 14/1
- Adam Peaty 14/1
'Just call me Rylan’
NEWLY single Rylan Clark has asked the BBC to call him ‘Rylan’ – after dropping husband Dan Neal’s last name.
The It Takes Two host was credited by his first name only when he appeared on Strictly spin-off show, while co-host Janette Manrara was credited by her full name.
“He thought it was best to have a fresh start and the easiest way to do that was to go back to just one name,” Strictly sources tell The Sun.
“He didn’t want to make a big fuss – just to change it onscreen.”
Any reference to the popular presenter’s last names have also been deleted from his Twitter account.
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