CLUMSY ON ICE
Denise battles on through the pain
DENISE van Outen proved the show must go on after the musical star performed in last night’s Dancing on Ice just 72 hours after dislocating her shoulder.
It was touch and go whether the battered and bruised TV trouper would make the curtain raiser after being rushed to hospital following a nasty tumble during rehearsals.
The 46-year-old tripped and crashed on to the rink, leaving her with a partial dislocation and tendon damage to her left shoulder.
She skated with strapping on her shoulder as she took to the ice last night with pro partner Matt Evers. At the end of her performance, she clutched her shoulder in pain.
The pair finishing bottom of the judges’ scoring with 19.5, but the public vote spared them from next week’s skate-off, a fate which befell rapper Lady Leshurr, skating with Brendyn Hatfield.
Judge Christopher Dean said her routine was “tentative” but he expected her to improve as her shoulder healed further.
Relieved Denise said: “I’ve taken a few tumbles since we started training but with this one I knew it wasn’t good.
“I hit my toe pick and went flying. I just thought: ‘Please don’t let it be a break’.”
The fall meant Denise and Matt, 44, had to make late changes to their routine. But the fact they made it to the rink at all was incredible after Denise admitted it was “touch and go”. She added: “It really affected my ability to move my left arm. I cannot thank the hospital staff enough. At a time when the NHS is overstretched, I must say an enormous thank you.” She is so keen to do well she moved Matt into the home she shares with Eddie Boxshall, 45, and daughter Betsy, 10, so they could bubble up.
Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby returned to host the show which also sees Jason Donovan, Rebekah Vardy and Faye Brookes competing.