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Dancing On Ice’s Joe-Warren Plant quits show with Vanessa Bauer after testing positive for Covid
JOE-WARREN Plant has quit Dancing On Ice after testing positive for Covid-19.
The Emmerdale actor is the fourth star to leave the show either injured or with a positive Covid test so far this series.
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Joe and his professional partner Vanessa Bauer have both tested positive for the deadly virus after working together closely in rehearsals.
Taking to Instagram, Vanessa said they "both feel fine" and were rehearsing yesterday evening together before the "shock call" with their positive test results.
“Having tested positive for Covid this now means the end of the competition for Vanessa and I," Joe, who plays Jacob Gallagher on the ITV soap said.
"I have loved every minute of being a part of Dancing On Ice and I am disappointed as I feel I had so much more to give and was working hard to perfect each performance.
"Thank you so much to Vanessa for being a fantastic teacher and although its been cut short, I've thoroughly enjoyed this experience.
"Thank you to all the crew who have been brilliant and especially thanks to the other cast members, they have been hugely supportive and I wish them all the very best.”
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Vanessa added: "Unfortunately, we have received positive test results for Covid which means we cannot continue to compete this year.
"Joe has been growing every week into such a talented skater and I'm so sad we won't be able to show more of the great routines we had planned.
"I am beyond proud and devastated, as we had so much more to show, he was the hardest working partner I’ve ever had."
Taking to Instagram, Vanessa revealed her "heartbreak" over the decision.
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"We are heartbroken," she told fans.
"Joe and I feel fine, but our COVID tests came back positive and that means the end for us on @dancingonice.
"I am writing this in tears as I’ve loved every minute on this years show with Joe-Warren Plant!
"He is the best partner I could have wished for, we worked so hard for months, had so much fun together and had SO SO much more to show.
"It feels surreal as we were training up until last evening before the shock call hit us...
"It is devastating that our journey has been cut short like this but we both still had the time of our lives."
An ITV spokesman said: "We can confirm that following positive Covid tests,
Joe-Warren Plant and Vanessa Bauer have had to withdraw from this year's competition.
"They've been wonderful on the show this year and we thank them for all their dedication and beautiful performances."
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Joe's positive test won't affect Emmerdale as he hasn't been on set while committing to Dancing On Ice full time.
Joe won't be replaced on the show as Dancing On Ice has already used up all of its reserves for the first time in the show's history.
It comes after Billie Faiers was forced to step back from the competition as she suffered a concussion after falling and hitting her head on the ice.
Just weeks before, Denise Van Outen pulled out of the contest as she fractured and dislocated her shoulder in a nasty fall.
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Comedian and was placed in quarantine.
The 18-year-old actor has had an eventful time on the skating show.
Joe and Vanessa have incredible chemistry together both on and off the ice, something that the soap star has admitted led to him splitting from girlfriend Nicole in December.
After reports he had got close with the pro skater, 24, Joe and Nicole broke up after three years together.
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Joe admitted there was "chemistry" with his partner, which led to people assuming there was something going on.
The Sun revealed the pair had separated after Nicole felt Joe wanted the show more than her.
The Jacob Gallagher actor told us that the show is good for him as he's using it to take his mind off the break up.
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"Dancing on Ice has come at a good time for me physically and mentally," said Joe, ahead of the show launch.
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"Relationships are hard to kind of deal with. It has helped to take my mind off of it slightly, having to focus and train all day every day.
"Even when you're not training and you're at home you've got to take the recovery aspect into terms."
Dancing On Ice’s Joe-Warren Plant and pro skater Vanessa Bauer get close during training
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