Strictly tour in chaos as dancers fall sick leaving AJ Pritchard and Jake Leigh to perform together
STRICTLY Come Dancing's tour has been thrown into chaos with three dancers unable to perform due to injury and illness, leaving AJ Pritchard to pair up with new dancer Jake Leigh for an impromptu routine.
On Friday, the two male dancers were forced to create a brand new dance at the last minute, after Dianne Buswell and Karen Bauer both pulled out reportedly due to sickness.
The show continued in Leeds despite the unforeseen issues, but fans were also left worried after former Glitterball hopeful and tour dancer Catherine Tyldesley pulled out halfway through Saturday's show after an injury.
AJ and Jake, one of the tour dancers, chose to perform a new routine for the audience, which they performed to Ellie Goulding's Love Me Like You Do.
The pair were filmed rehearsing the same-sex number by Neil Jones, while AJ later shared a pictures of their performance, writing: "Yes we went for it. Get well soon Dianne Buswell and Karen Hauer."
It is thought that the other professionals all stepped in to help out, with Katya Jones filling in for Dianne in Amy and Karim's jive.
Janette Manrara also filled in for Dianne during Mike and Katya's quickstep.
Former champ Katya stepped in for Dianne in Kelvin Fletcher and Janette's Samba.
On Saturday, Dianne shared a thank you message to supportive fans, writing: "Wanted to say thank you all so much for all your get well wishes over the past few days.
"I’m just recovering from a bit of a sickness bug and look forward to being back on the dance floor in Dublin."
In November, Strictly Come Dancing saw its first ever same-sex routine on the BBC program, with Johannes Radebe and Graziano Di Prima dancing together.
The pair impressed as they took to the dancefloor during Emeli Sande's performance in the results show, which saw Emma Weymouth get eliminated from the competition.
Of the groundbreaking routine, Johannes : "I've never felt so liberated. For the first time in my life, I feel accepted for who I am. That says so much about the people of this country. To be able to dance with a friend I respect and adore is joyous.
"There's bromance galore between us, but there were no male and female roles, just free movement. It was beautiful, classy and elegant."