Why has Denise Van Outen quit Dancing On Ice?

DENISE Van Outen looks a good bet to return to Dancing on Ice next year.

Although the star quit the show following a painful fall, bookies reckon she's a 'frontrunner' to grace the rink again, in 2022.

Why has Denise Van Outen quit Dancing On Ice?

On January 26, Denise announced that she sadly had to withdraw from the Dancing On Ice 2021 competition.

The 46-year-old quit after suffering a horror fall during training for the show which saw her dislocate her shoulder.

Not only that - her dislocated shoulder is fractured in three places.

Having had a scan to check on the progress of the injury, it was determined that she couldn't continue to skate while she recuperates.

Doctors warned her she would end up with a body full of metal pins.

With the departure of Denise, Olympic gymnast Amy Tinkler and her pro-skater partner Joe Johnson join the line-up from this Sunday (January 31, 2021).

What has Denise Van Outen said about leaving Dancing On Ice?

Denise announced on Instagram her devastation at leaving the show.

She wrote: "GUTTED! If you’ve been watching @dancingonice you will be aware that just over a week ago I had a nasty fall and injured my shoulder.

"Initially we thought with rest I could make a return to the ice, but a recent MRI scan has shown that I have 3 bone fractures as well as a partial dislocation. OUCH! No wonder I’ve been in agony.

"I won’t be able to do any lifts, tricks or solo skating on the show due to my injury.

"I’m going to bail out gracefully with my DOI bling sling."

In an exclusive interview, Denise told The Sun: “I just wanted to get on with the show.

“But I couldn’t do any of it. I was literally clinging on to Matt [Evers] for dear life just to get through the show.

“I can’t rotate my arm or move it too much. I’m very limited with movement, and there was only ever going to be so much I could do on the ice.

“I came off after that [last] show and vomited, and I nearly passed out because I was in so much pain.

“At the same time it was still good to be part of it. It’s just such a shame. I would love to have carried on. I’ll never ever know what I’d be capable of doing.”

In fact bookies Ladbrokes have put her at 5/4 to come back after her shoulder injury forced her to quit.

A spokesman said: "Denise was one of the frontrunners with us to go all the way and we wouldn't be surprised in the slightest to see her return."

What happens to her dance partner Matt Evers?

Unfortunately this means Matt is also out of the competition.

Talking to ITV he said: “Denise has worked so incredibly hard these past few months and I'm devastated that she’s unable to show everyone what a beautiful skater she’s become.

"It’s sad that the competition must end now for both Denise and I but it’s most important that she takes the time to heal and recover.

"I loved our time on the ice together and I love the wonderful friendship that we will always have.

"I’m gutted to have Denise leave the show and equally gutted that last Sunday’s hug will be my last for a while.”

Will Denise Van Outen return to Dancing On Ice in 2022?

This is yet to be decided, as Denise is still in recovery.

Speaking about her departure, a spokesperson for Dancing On Ice said: “We adore Denise and Matt and we’re so very sad to see them leave the competition so soon.

"We wish Denise all the very best as she now takes some time to make a full recovery.”