Julian Benson will miss out on Dancing With The Stars for a second week as he continues to battle illness.
The judge missed last weekend’s show and orchestra special and had hoped to return to the panel this Sunday night.
However, a spokesperson for the former champion dancer confirmed he would not be returning this weekend and creative director Darren Bennett will fill in again.
They said: “Unfortunately, Julian is not able enough to return this week but is hopeful he will return as soon as possible.”
The much-loved judge suffers from Cystic Fibrosis and a simple cold can require him to have round-the-clock medical treatment.
Julian, 48, is undergoing a number of medical treatments and a close friend said he is hopeful for a return to TV “sooner rather than later”. They added: “Julian will be watching the show from his sick bed and marking the dances in his head, you can be sure of that.
“This way he will be up to date on each of the contestant’s journeys when he does make it back to the show.
“Unfortunately, with his condition, he has to take all medical advice and do what he is told and there is simply no rushing back.”
