Why did Will Bayley quit Strictly Come Dancing?
WILL Bayley has crashed out of Strictly Come Dancing after suffering a severe injury when he jumped off a table and landed awkwardly on his ankle during rehearsals.
The Sun has confirmed the unfortunate news - here's what we know.
Is Will Bayley still competing in Strictly Come Dancing 2019?
The Sun previously revealed how doctors had given the gold medal winning table tennis star a “less than slim” chance of recovering in time for this weekend’s show, but he has now confirmed he is out of the competition all together.
Will, paired with Janette Manrara, said: “I’m gutted my Strictly journey has had to come to an end. I’ve loved being part of the show, and am so grateful for the phenomenal support we have received.
“I want to say a special thank you to Janette for believing in me, and giving me the confidence to believe in myself.
Strictly fans are now clamouring for ex Corrie actress Catherine Tyldesley to be reinstated after she was booted off the show on Sunday, losing the dance-off to Mike Bushell and Katya Jones.
One fan, said: "In shock to see voted off tonight , she gave by far the most polished performance."
A second added: “If Will Bayley can't dance then would you be able to bring back Catherine and jo would be so happy if you did xx”
How did Will Bayley get injured on Strictly Come Dancing?
On October 26, The Sun exclusively revealed that Will Bayley had been rushed to hospital after suffering a horror fall in training.
Footage showed the Paralympian, 31, screaming in agony after landing badly on his right leg as he leapt off a table.
Will said: “I thought I broke my leg because I never felt anything like it before.”
Distraught Strictly pro Janette screamed “no, no, no” as her dance partner suffered the horror knee injury.
He was ruled out of the weekend's live Halloween show — and has now been ruled out for the rest of the series.
On October 29, The Sun reported that his chances of continuing with the rest of the series were “less than slim”.
A show source said: “He’s already had a number of appointments with doctors and physios to see if there is any way he can get through, but with each day of training he misses the less likely it is.
“And the other headache is that he doesn’t want to do any lasting damage that could affect his table tennis career — particularly with the Paralympics next year.”
Bayley is now the second contestant to withdraw from the competition due to injury after Jamie Laing sustained a foot injury before the action even got underway. He was replaced by ex Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher.
Why is Will Bayley famous?
Will represented Team GB at the 2008 Summer Paralympics in Beijing, China, and failed to bring home a medal.
However he walked away with gold medals at both the German and Czech table tennis opens in 2009, as well as in Lignano and Brazil in 2010.
Will won a silver medal for Great Britain at the London 2012 Summer Paralympics and bagged his first gold medal at the Rio 2016 Summer Paralympics.
After Rio the gold medallist's picture was nicked and used on a Tinder user’s profile.
In 2017, he was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (BE) for services to table tennis.
Will also serves as an ambassador for Kent Sports Trust Foundation, Pepenbury and Disability Sports Coaching.
He was a Commonwealth Games ambassador for the Gold Coast Games in Australia 2018.
The table tennis player starred on an episode of Channel 4 show, First Dates, in 2016.
Months later Will went on to meet his partner Fiona York and the pair share daughter Bella.
What is Will Bayley's background?
The 31-year-old was born on January 17, 1988, with arthrogryposis which affects all four of his limbs.
Arthrogryposis is the term for conditions that cause multiple curved joints in areas of the body at birth.
It usually results in stiff joints and muscle weakness, and it is not seen as a genetic condition.
He learned to play table tennis after he was diagnosed with cancer at the age of seven and his grandma bought him a table.
At the age of 12, he joined a table tennis club and went on to represent Kent's able bodied men's team.
He then lived and trained full time at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield at the age of 17.
MORE STRICTLY UPDATES
When is Strictly Come Dancing 2019 on?
The live Strictly Come Dancing shows are on every Saturday night until the final on Saturday, December 14.
This week's show will be broadcast live on BBC One at 7pm.
The results shows air on Sundays; this week's will be shown on BBC One at 7.15pm.
All episodes will be available to watch on BBC iPlayer after airing.