Strictly Come Dancing’s Aliona Vilani announces she’s ‘taking legal action’ against Johnny Ball after he claimed she lied about fracturing her ankle to avoid dancing with him on the show in 2012

STRICTLY Come Dancing star Aliona Vilani has hit back at Johnny Ball after he claimed she pretended to fracture her ankle so she could go on holiday.

The 33-year-old has denied the accusations and revealed she will be taking legal action against the TV veteran, 79.

She posted a statement on Twitter that read: “I am aware that Johnny Ball has made allegations regarding my fractured ankle during 2012 SCD, which I strongly deny.

“I have instructed solicitors and am taking legal advice in relation to his allegations. It’s therefore not appropriate to comment further at this time.”

Johnny, who is the dad of  Strictly’s It Takes Two presenter Zoe, appeared on the show alongside Aliona in 2012.

Speaking last week to The Sun On Sunday, Johnny claimed her injury was a fix and her replacement deliberately choreographed a routine that was too difficult for him so he would get booted off first.

After Aliona left the show, he was then paired with Iveta Lukosiute, 37, who he claims devised a routine that was too difficult for him.

He said: “When I was knocked out she said, ‘That’s funny, my contract ends on Tuesday’.”

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Pro dancer Aliona first appeared on Strictly in 2009, when she was partnered with Rav Wilding.

She went on to appear with Matt Baker, when she came runner up, Harry Judd, who she won with, and Gregg Wallace, who she left with in round one.

In 2015 she appeared with The Wanted’s Jay McGuiness who she won the show with – making her the first professional to win twice.

She welcomed her first child with sales director Vincent Kavanagh in July of this year.

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