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Strictly dancer Artem may leave show following spine injury - Daily TV round-up

Artem Chigvintsev may have to quit ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ after fracturing a bone in his spine.

The 'Strictly' champion, pictured above with show partner Holly Valance, danced through the pain on Saturday despite picking up an injury in last week’s training.

However Artem then had to pull out of a group dance and show insiders now say it is “touch and go” whether he will dance on Saturday’s show. Doctors will have to decide if he is fit enough to come back and perform.

One show insider said: “Artem is in a really bad way and shouldn’t have danced at the weekend, but he didn’t want to let Holly down.”

Artem and his partner, former ‘Neighbours’ star Holly, were favourites to win this year’s show.

Due to his injury Artem has been forced to sit out of rehearsals while fellow dancer Brendan Cole practices this weekend’s routine with Holly.

This could be a chance Brendan to make a comeback after he was kicked out with his original partner Lulu on Sunday – if Artem is forced to quit.

The show insider continued: “The last thing he [Artem] wants to do is make the pain worse. Brendan could get a second chance to win this year.”

A ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ spokesman said Artem’s progress was being monitored closely and although he is in pain the fracture is “stable” and there will be “no untoward effect from him continuing to dance.” [Daily Mirror]

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