CRAIG S*** STORM AT ARLENE JIBE

Sad Laura out with ‘crippling’ injury to ankle

ED GLEAVE FRAGILE Laura Whitmore was forced to pull out of last night’s Strictly after being “crippled” by an ankle injury. Just two hours before the show went on air, bosses announced she was unable to perform. Concerned medics told Laura, 31, she risked suffering permanent damage to her ankle if she danced. The defiant telly presenter went to the studio in Elstree, Herts, yesterday and was determined to perform. But after a session with a physio she was told at the 11th hour she could not compete alongside dance partner Giovanni Pernice, 26. Laura has been battling the injury since early last week. On Tuesday she attended the opening night of Burn The Floor – Fire In The Ballroom and told us she was struggling. She said: “I’m exhausted. My body hates me. I have got dodgy ankles. I’ve never hurt so much in my life. “Training has been full-on. I’ve been quite frustrated with myself this week. It’s been the hardest week so far.” A Strictly spokesman said: “She has been checked by a doctor and the medical team on site and they have advised that she rests her ankle and does not dance this weekend.” The injury means she will automatically make it through to next week’s show – escaping tonight’s vote-off. The Strictly spokesman added: “As per the rules of Strictly Come Dancing, because Laura and Giovanni cannot dance on tonight’s show they will receive a bye through to next week and the show will continue with a public vote as per usual.”