Professional skater Hamish Gaman has pulled out of tonight's Dancing on Ice show.
Mr Gaman, who was paired with Caprice Bourret on the ITV show before they parted ways, said an unknown source has been sharing 'untrue' stories about him and trying to get them published by the press.
Mr Gaman says he has been struggling for months and could not face appearing on TV on Sunday evening. Since splitting with on ice parter Ms Bourret, Ms Bourret left the show but Gaman had continued to work on it. The reason for their split is not known.
On Twitter, Mr Gamam wrote: "I'm sad to say that I've pulled out of appearing on Dancing On Ice tonight.
"The past three-and-a-half months have been the worst of my life, and I'm struggling. It might look like things have been calming down, but they aren't.
"Numerous defamatory articles have been stopped from running in the press over the past few weeks. These untrue stories are continually being fed to the press by a 'source'.
"I've been told by various people where these articles and source quotes are coming from, and it's clear that they're trying to destroy my reputation. It's become relentless and I feel extremely vulnerable. I'm asking them to stop."
He added: "I desperately want to move on from all of this and focus on the skating. I've done absolutely nothing wrong, and was told by the team who reviewed all the rehearsal footage that I was an 'exemplary pro'.
"I can only hope that this will all be over soon. I'm so sorry to not be on the ice tonight, but I couldn't face it.
"Thank you for your support and kind messages."
Confirming her departure from the series earlier this month, Ms Bourret's publicist Billie Dee Gianfrancesco said: "It's true that Caprice is no longer participating in Dancing On Ice.
"It's been a hard few months and she's had to keep silent for contractual reasons.
"Her mental wellbeing has been affected over the last two months and recent stories leaked to the press are not only salacious but extremely hurtful.
"Now she's taking some time to recover and look after herself and her family."
Dancing On Ice continues on ITV at 6pm on Sunday.
