Jaime Winstone has confirmed she will return to Strictly Come Dancing this weekend after a torn abdominal muscle forced her to miss last Saturday's live show. The 41-year-old actress and her professional partner Carlos Gu received a bye through to week eight under the rules of the competition.
Return to the Rehearsal Room
In a video shared on social media, Winstone announced she was back training. "We are back in the rehearsal room today. It's been a hard week, it's been very frustrating not being able to dance and join everyone else in the ballroom, especially you," she said, turning to Gu.
She added: "We are intending to dance, we have been given the all-clears under certain rules, by the doctors, we just did our wonderful Charleston with amazing choreographers and Carlos. How to work around the injury and we are just feeling so grateful and privileged to be back here and to be back in the ballroom this Saturday."
Fans Show Support
Winstone thanked viewers for their messages, saying the support had been "beautiful and overwhelming." She said she was "working extra hard now" but "starting gently" and building up to Saturday's performance. Fans responded warmly, with one writing: "Woop woop! So happy to see ya back!" and another adding: "So, so happy! I can't wait to see your dance - and vote for you, you're incredible!"
Injury and Recovery
Last week, Winstone told fans she was "absolutely devastated" not to be dancing due to the injury. "I am in considerable pain, and my doctors have advised complete rest to give my body the best possible chance to heal," she said. A BBC spokesperson confirmed she had been advised to rest and would receive a bye through to the following week.
During Saturday's show, hosts Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe addressed her absence. Josh noted she had been advised not to perform on medical grounds, while Emma said: "Jaime, we know you're watching from home tonight we miss you so much and we're sending you all our love and we hope you get better soon."
Australian singer Delta Goodrem also missed a week earlier in the series due to a rib injury but has since returned with professional partner Kai Widdrington. Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday, November 14 at 6.25pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
