Strictly Come Dancing contestant Stefan Dennis has bravely revealed the shocking extent of the injury he battled through during his performances on the hit BBC show. The Neighbours star, best known for playing Paul Robinson, disclosed that he danced with a severely damaged shoulder that required painkilling injections just to get him through routines.
In an emotional revelation, the 65-year-old Australian actor explained how he sustained the injury during training with professional partner Katya Jones. What initially seemed like minor discomfort quickly escalated into debilitating pain that threatened his Strictly journey.
The Moment Everything Changed
'It happened during rehearsals when we were practising one of our lifts,' Stefan confessed. 'There was this sudden, sharp pain in my shoulder that took my breath away. At first, I thought I'd just pulled a muscle, but the pain kept getting worse.'
Medical examinations revealed the sobering truth: Stefan had suffered significant damage to his shoulder joint. Doctors warned him that continuing to dance could exacerbate the injury, but the determined actor refused to let down his partner or the Strictly audience.
Pushing Through the Pain
'The show's medical team were absolutely wonderful,' Stefan acknowledged. 'They arranged for me to have painkilling injections before each live show. Without that, there's no way I could have performed.'
The actor described the surreal experience of dancing through intense pain while maintaining a smile for the cameras and judges. 'You're putting on this performance, trying to remember all the steps, hitting your marks, and all the while there's this constant, throbbing pain in your shoulder.'
Katya's Unwavering Support
Professional dancer Katya Jones proved to be Stefan's rock throughout the challenging period. 'She was incredibly supportive and kept checking I was okay,' he shared. 'We had to modify some of our lifts and routines to accommodate my injury, which was frustrating, but Katya never made me feel like I was letting her down.'
The Russian dancer's experience and adaptability proved crucial in helping Stefan deliver performances that belied his physical struggles.
A Secret Struggle
What makes Stefan's revelation particularly remarkable is that viewers had no idea about the extent of his injury during the broadcasts. His performances maintained the energy and professionalism that Strictly audiences expect, with no visible indication of the pain he was enduring.
'That's part of the Strictly magic, I suppose,' Stefan reflected. 'You put everything aside when you step onto that dance floor. The audience has paid to be entertained, and you don't want to disappoint them.'
The Strictly Come Dancing Injury Curse
Stefan's shoulder problems add to the growing list of injuries that have plagued this year's Strictly contestants. The physically demanding nature of the competition has tested even the fittest celebrities, with several dancers requiring medical attention throughout the series.
His story serves as a testament to the incredible dedication and resilience required of Strictly competitors, who often push their bodies to the limit in pursuit of dancefloor glory.
