Joe-Warren Plant and his professional skating partner Vanessa Bauer have pulled out of Dancing On Ice after testing positive for coronavirus.
Emmerdale star Plant said he was “disappointed” to leave the competition early and thanked Bauer in a statement.
Three of this year’s skaters had already been forced out of the competition early through illness or injury.
Plant said: “Having tested positive for Covid, this now means the end of the competition for Vanessa and I.
“I have loved every minute of being a part of Dancing On Ice and I am disappointed as I feel I had so much more to give and was working hard to perfect each performance.
“Thank you so much to Vanessa for being a fantastic teacher and, although it’s been cut short, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this experience.”
Bauer said: “Joe-Warren has been growing every week into such a talented skater and I’m so sad we won’t be able to show more of the great routines we had planned.
“I am beyond proud and devastated, as we had so much more to show – he was the hardest working partner I’ve ever had.”
A spokeswoman for ITV said: “We can confirm that, following positive Covid tests, Joe-Warren Plant and Vanessa Bauer have had to withdraw from this year’s competition. They’ve been wonderful on the show this year and we thank them for all their dedication and beautiful performances.”
Last week it was revealed that comedian Rufus Hound was withdrawing from the competition after he tested positive for coronavirus.
Reality TV star Billie Shepherd also left the show early after injuring herself during a fall, while actress and singer Denise Van Outen withdrew after she partially dislocated her shoulder during training.
Dancing On Ice continues on Virgin Media on Sundays at 6pm
