Robert Webb with dance partner Dianne Buswell
(Picture: PA)Comedian Robert Webb has withdrawn from Strictly Come Dancing due to ill health, the BBC has said.
The Peep Show star, who had open heart surgery two years ago, said he was advised by a doctor to quit the show after he had “begun to feel symptoms” while training for the BBC One celebrity dancing competition.
Webb, 49, was partnered with Dianne Buswell in the show. He announced the news in a statement released on Wednesday evening.
It read: “I’m extremely sorry to have to announce that I’m withdrawing from Strictly Come Dancing due to ill health. Two years ago I had open heart surgery and although I believed I was fit enough to take on Strictly and its demanding schedule, it became clear that I had bitten off way more than I could chew for this stage in my recovery.
Very sad to be leaving. Huge thanks to Dianne for being so brilliant and to everyone for watching (and voting!) https://t.co/AURYxMaqco pic.twitter.com/LpBedemyxh
— Robert Webb (@arobertwebb) October 13, 2021
“I had begun to feel symptoms that led me to seek an urgent consultation with my heart specialist, and it was her view that it would be better for the sake of my health to step back from the show.”
The celeb said he was proud of the three dances he managed to perform with Dianne and told of his deep regret “having to let her down.”
“I couldn’t have wished for a more talented partner or more patient teacher, and it’s a measure of Dianne’s professionalism and kindness that I was able to get as far as I did,” he added.
Webb’s exit comes less than one month into Strictly, with 12 out of 15 contestants remaining.
EastEnders star Nina Wadia became the first contestant to be eliminated from the dancing show followed by actress Katie McGlynn in week two.
Meanwhile McFly singer Tom Fletcher and his professional partner Amy Dowden were given a pass to week three after testing positive for Covid and being told to self isolate.
They returned to the screen with a jive to Johnny B Goode from the musician’s favourite film Back To The Future.
It followed a reported vaccine dispute behind the scenes where it is believed that three professional dancers had refused to be vaccinated.
