The glittering world of Strictly Come Dancing has been hit by a fresh wave of concern as a third celebrity contestant is revealed to be performing through a significant injury, casting doubt on their future in the competition.
Blackpool Special Overshadowed by Injuries
The drama unfolded during the show's prestigious Blackpool special on Saturday night. While the spotlight was on the iconic ballroom, news emerged that actress Alex Kingston had taken to the floor with a dislocated rib.
The revelation came not from the BBC or the star herself, but from her daughter, Salome Violetta Haertel, who took to social media to praise her mother's resilience. She posted, "So so proud! !! Slayed the dance floor, dislocated rib and all!!"
A Growing List of Casualties
This new injury adds to a worrying trend for this series of Strictly. The Blackpool episode began with the announcement that La Voix had been forced to withdraw from the competition entirely due to a foot injury.
Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman informed the audience that despite initially being granted a pass to perform this week, medical advice ultimately prevented the drag queen, whose real name is Christopher Dennis, and professional partner Aljaz Skorjanec from continuing.
This follows the week 5 exit of Stefan Dennis after he sustained a calf injury. Even before the series began, Dani Dyer was replaced by Amber Davies after fracturing her ankle in rehearsals.
What Happens Next for the Competition?
The immediate consequence of La Voix's withdrawal was the cancellation of the weekly dance-off. Tess Daly confirmed that all six remaining couples would automatically proceed to the next round.
However, the focus now shifts to Alex Kingston and her professional partner Johannes Radebe. Fans have expressed their admiration and concern online. One supporter wrote, "Your mum is a superstar... Really hope it doesn't hamper her from continuing," while another pondered, "She did amazingly with an injury! Hope she recovers enough to continue."
The big question now is whether Kingston's painful dislocated rib will allow her to continue training and performing, or if the Strictly Come Dancing injury list is about to claim another star.
