TV

Strictly star’s weekend performance could be in doubt

Injury concerns ahead of Halloween week

Strictly Come Dancing’s couples have less than a week to perfect each routine for the judges and millions of TV viewers.

So spare a thought for poor Simon Rimmer who has been unable to start even rehearsing at all thanks to a painful leg injury.

The 54-year-old revealed on Strictly spinoff show It Takes Two that training with pro partner Karen Clifton has been put on hold until his thigh injury calms down.

Simon and Karen told Zoe Ball on Tuesday night they STILL hadn’t started working on their Viennese Waltz… leaving them trailing behind the other couples.

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“This injury is from my slip on Sunday night,” explained Simon.

“I have a lot of pain so my lovely physio Doug strapped me up to keep the muscle in place and hopefully it will sort itself out.

“It has to calm down a little bit, really, which is why we haven’t been able to start yet, as this has to ease off a little bit.”

When Zoe asked Karen if that made her nervous, Karen replied: “A little bit! Because it leaves us two days to put everything together.

“But he’s a hard worker and very focused so I’m okay – for now!”

She added: “It’s really tough as these guys haven’t danced before and it’s pretty intense on your muscles.

“If something like that happens, it’s hard to recover from it, but hopefully he’ll be okay. Fingers crossed!”

Simon’s injury happened when he slipped during the dance-off on Sunday night, when he and Karen had to perform their Charleston for a second time.

Thankfully, even with the slip, they impressed the judges and booked their place in the Strictly Halloween special this weekend.

“It was really weird,” he said. “I don’t know why it happened.

“We’ve done that dance so many times and I didn’t slip. But I’m quite happy I didn’t miss a beat!”

Karen said: “I had no idea [he slipped]. I saw his face and knew something must have happened but my back was to him. I was like, ‘I don’t know that smile! We didn’t practise that smile!’

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“But he came in and went through with it like a pro.”

Thankfully, it seems like Simon and Karen were back in the training room on Wednesday, as he tweeted that he’d be spending the morning filming Tricks of the Restaurant Trade, then the afternoon dancing.

Glad to hear it!


Nancy Brown
Associate Editor