The last waltz for AJ as she limps out of Strictly final
The coveted glitterball trophy was almost within her reach. But AJ Odudu has been left ‘deeply upset’ after she was forced to pull out of tonight’s Strictly Come Dancing final due to a foot injury.
The TV presenter, who has torn a ligament in her right ankle, said she had done everything possible to make a return to the dancefloor – including using ice compression machines and having injections of anaesthetic.
Miss Odudu said she had even asked doctors if they would let her compete wearing a medical boot.
But the 33-year-old and her professional partner Kai Widdrington, 26, will now miss out on the chance of competing against eastenders star Rose Aylingellis and Bake Off winner John Whaite.
earlier this week Miss Odudu, who had been second favourite to win, said the pain in her ankle was so bad that she vomited and needs crutches to stand.
‘I’ve had ultrasounds, MRI scans and X-rays,’ she wrote on Instagram yesterday. ‘I’ve had two incisions to drain the inflammation around my ankle.
‘I’ve injected local anaesthetic directly into my foot, I have been strapped up to an ice compression machine for days.
‘I’ve done all I can possibly do to get back on my feet for the BBC Strictly final. I even asked the docs if I could perform in a medical moonboot!
‘But the fact is, I can’t stand on my feet let alone dance because I’ve torn my spring ligament.’
Miss Odudu paid tribute to her ‘special, patient and devoted’ pro partner. Mr Widdrington, who joined the show this year, said: ‘I am absolutely gutted that AJ and I won’t get to finish our journey on Strictly the way we would’ve wanted to.’
Miss Odudu, who has hosted shows including The Voice and Don’t Rock The Boat, has been a frontrunner throughout the competition.
In the first week she topped the leaderboard, scoring 34 points for her jive. In last weekend’s semi-final she scored her first perfect 40 with a quickstep.
her exit is the latest blow to a series that has been heavily disrupted due to both Covid and injury. Comedian Robert Webb withdrew due to ill health and
‘I can’t stand on my feet let alone dance’
former rugby player Ugo Monye was sidelined by a back injury.
Meanwhile, professional dancer Johannes Radebe has said his same-sex partnership with Mr Whaite has improved his relationship with his ‘traditionalist’ mother.
The openly gay South African dancer, who is in the show’s first all-male pairing, said: ‘When I told her about the partnership she said, “You’re dancing with a man?” I said, “Yes mum, I’m dancing with a man and his name’s John.” And there was this awkward silence, and she was like “OK”.’
Miss Ayling-ellis, 27, is the clear bookies’ favourite to triumph. Last night she was at 1/33 while Mr Whaite, 32, was at 10/1, according to William hill. The Strictly final is on BBC1 tonight at 7pm.