In a shocking turn of events that has left the Strictly Come Dancing community reeling, Neighbours icon Stefan Dennis has been forced to abandon the competition following a devastating back injury sustained during training.
The 65-year-old Australian actor, best known for playing Paul Robinson in the long-running soap, has cut short his UK stay and boarded an emergency flight home to Melbourne to receive specialist medical treatment.
Family's Heartbreak as Dancing Dream Crumbles
Sources close to the actor reveal his family are "absolutely devastated" by the sudden end to his Strictly journey. The injury occurred during intense rehearsal sessions ahead of the show's highly anticipated launch this autumn.
"The timing couldn't be worse," an insider disclosed. "Stefan was utterly dedicated to making his Strictly experience memorable and had thrown himself into training with incredible passion. This injury has completely shattered those dreams."
Medical Emergency Halts Strictly Progress
The severity of the back injury became apparent when Dennis began experiencing significant pain and mobility issues. Medical professionals advised immediate cessation of all dance activities, leaving production company BBC Studios with no choice but to release him from his contract.
His sudden departure has created an unexpected vacancy in the 2024 Strictly lineup, forcing producers to scramble for a last-minute replacement just weeks before the series begins filming.
From Ramsay Street to Dance Floor Disaster
Dennis had been particularly excited about joining Strictly, seeing it as a chance to connect with British audiences in a new way after decades playing one of television's most enduring villains. His casting had generated significant excitement among both Neighbours and Strictly fans.
"This isn't just another celebrity dropping out," a show insider noted. "Stefan brought a unique international appeal and decades of television experience. Losing him is a significant blow to the production."
The actor is now recovering in Australia surrounded by family, while Strictly producers work against the clock to fill the unexpected gap in their celebrity roster.
