Will Bayley has thanked fans for their support and said he’s trying to remain positive after he was forced to pull out of Strictly Come Dancing after injuring himself.
Doctors said the Paralympic table tennis champion couldn’t continue due to his anterior cruciate ligament injury in his right knee, which he suffered when he fell last Saturday and was ruled out of that evening’s show.
In a heartfelt video message shared on Twitter, Will said: “I just wanted to say a massive thanks to everyone who has sent me comments and messages over the last few days.
Thanks so much for all the amazing support I’ve had the past few days online and out in the streets it’s been incredible. Who knows I might one day get that Glitter ball trophy 🤛👍😂 #thankful pic.twitter.com/rpaDHDBPvS
— Will Bayley MBE (@WillBayleytt) 1 November 2019
“It’s been really hard obviously, after my injury, but I’m trying to be positive now and looking forward to things rather than thinking about what could have been.”
He went on: “I’m really going to focus now on Tokyo 2020, to win another gold medal. I’m sure I can do that, I’ll give it everything in my power to do so.
“[Strictly] was such an amazing journey, I loved every single second of it.
“I was lucky to have such an amazing partner and the whole team around me, the people behind the scenes, were incredible as well.”
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Will suffered his injury on the day of the live show last Saturday, when he was rehearsing his jive with Janette.
It’s been really hard obviously, after my injury, but I’m trying to be positive now and looking forward to things rather than thinking about what could have been.
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The star performed part of his routine in which he jumped from a raised part of the stage, but twisted his right knee when he fell and was rushed to hospital when he was unable to get up from the floor.
Tess Daly announced that he had been given a bye through to the next week, but earlier this week things weren’t looking good for him.
No contestant is allowed to miss two weeks of the live shows, and as doctors say he needs six months’ rest to heal, he had no option but to pull out of the programme.
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