In a disappointing turn of events for Strictly Come Dancing fans, drag performer La Voix has been permanently forced to withdraw from the competition. The announcement was made during the show's iconic Blackpool Tower Week special, casting a shadow over the glitzy festivities.
Blackpool Announcement and Injury Details
Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman confirmed the news to the live audience, revealing that medical professionals had advised the star, whose real name is Christopher Dennis, that she could not continue. The 45-year-old was spotted in the front row of the audience, looking forlorn, as the decision was announced. This came after she was forced to pull out of the Blackpool special this weekend.
La Voix had been battling the injury for some time. Appearing on It Takes Two, she explained to host Janette Manrara that the issue began after her foxtrot. 'I felt a little niggle in my foot,' she said, which gradually worsened until she could no longer wear heels and had to switch to flat shoes for rehearsals.
Social Media Sadness and Fan Backlash
Taking to Instagram on what she called a 'sad day', La Voix shared her disappointment at not being able to perform in Blackpool. Her post came after she felt compelled to hit back at online trolls who cruelly suggested she had faked the injury to exit the competition.
She later provided a medical update, explaining she was undergoing an MRI scan. The diagnosis revealed a bone bruise caused by the repetition of dancing in heels. 'If I keep working on it, it could become a stress fracture,' she stated, which would mean six to eight weeks in a boot. She praised the BBC Strictly physio team for their support in catching the injury before it reached that critical stage.
Show Rules and Blackpool's Unique Format
In a shock move for the Blackpool week, Tess and Claudia also announced that there would be no dance-off and no celebrity elimination. The evening was filled with spectacle, including a performance by the band and a glitzy number from the professional dancers, who were later joined by the judges and contestants.
Fortunately for La Voix, due to the specific rules of the show surrounding injury withdrawals, she and her professional dance partner, Aljaž Škorjanec, will technically be able to remain in the competition, though she will not be performing.
