Strictly Come Dancing star Stefan Dennis has revealed the true extent of the injury that forced him to quit the show.
The Neighbours actor became the third celebrity to withdraw from this year’s series of the BBC dancing competition, due to a severe calf injury.
Appearing on Good Morning Britain today (December 11), he opened up about quite how severe it was, with doctors warning him he might never fully recover.
Stefan Dennis discusses Strictly injury
Speaking ahead of his final appearance as Paul Robinson in Neighbours’ last-ever episode, Stefan was also quizzed by presenters Kate Garraway and Richard Madeley about his Strictly journey.
“Talking about going out with a bang,” Kate deftly segued onto the topic, “Strictly! How frustrating was that? We wanted more of you, Stefan!”
I’m dosed up to the eyeballs on painkillers.
“I know,” Stefan grimaced. “The problem was, by the time I got to the Charleston, which was the last dance I did, I got it. Because I was petrified up until that point. I went: ‘I’ve got this now, I know exactly what to do.’ And then on the Monday morning the doctor said: ‘No you’re not, you’re out, goodbye!’
“I tore my calf muscle very very badly during rehearsal,” he explained.
“When you see me doing that dance,” he went on, indicating a video clip playing in the background, “I’m dosed up to the eyeballs on painkillers. [They said] I was going to do irreparable damage, I was going to tear my Achilles.”
‘It’s anybody’s game’
The presenters also seized the opportunity to get Stefan’s prediction on who will win the competition, with concludes next weekend (December 20).
“I thought Lewis [Cope] was going to do it,” the 67-year-old actor shared. Agreeing with the bookies, he added: “But now my money’s on George [Clarke]. But, really, it’s anybody’s game.”
Stefan’s appearance came as his wife, Gail, paid tribute to the actor, as his last-ever episode of Neighbours airs in Australia. “It’s the end of an era,” she posted alongside a picture of her husband.
“We are so proud of you Darling. Now for our new and exciting chapter.”
His Strictly partner Dianne Buswell commented: “The best of the best.”
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