Strictly Come Dancing contestant La Voix has expressed her profound disappointment after being forced to withdraw from the show's iconic Blackpool special this weekend due to a painful foot injury.
A Sad Day for the Performer
The Drag Race star, whose real name is Christopher Dennis, took to Instagram on Saturday to mark what she described as a 'sad day of not dancing in Blackpool'. Her post came just hours before the rest of the cast was due to perform at the legendary Tower Ballroom.
La Voix shared a photograph of a beautiful bouquet of flowers she had received from Blossom & Ivy, penning a heartfelt thank you to her supporters. The gesture provided a small comfort on an otherwise difficult day for the 45-year-old performer.
Addressing the Injury and the Backlash
The situation was compounded earlier in the week when La Voix felt compelled to hit back at a minority of fans who had cruelly suggested she had fabricated her injury to avoid performing. She provided a detailed explanation of her condition on the Strictly spin-off show, It Takes Two, with host Janette Manrara.
She revealed that the problem began during her foxtrot, stating, 'I felt a little niggle in my foot, hence comments about me being flat-footed. I was thinking this will be fine, but it got gradually worse.' The pain intensified to the point where she had to swap her heels for 'those awful flat shoes' during rehearsals.
By Monday, it was clear she could not continue. 'We tried on Monday and it was really clear I was struggling, in pain,' La Voix explained, 'so we decided to be professional and call this, hoping with some rest I can be back.'
The Medical Diagnosis and Future in the Competition
The following day, La Voix provided her followers with a further medical update via social media. She disclosed that she was on her way for an MRI scan while others travelled to Blackpool.
The scan confirmed she has a bone bruise on the joint where her toe meets her foot, caused by the repetition of dancing in heels. She warned that continuing to dance on it risked the injury developing into a stress fracture, which would require six to eight weeks in a protective boot.
Fortunately, show rules mean that La Voix and her professional dance partner, Aljaž Škorjanec, will be able to continue in the competition next week. This loophole, however, sparked unfair criticism from some viewers who accused her of taking an easy route through the competition.
Despite the setback, La Voix was full of praise for the BBC Strictly team and the physiotherapists, describing them as 'amazing' for their support throughout the ordeal.
