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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Zara Woodcock

Strictly Come Dancing's most cursed season as illness and Covid wreak havoc

Strictly Come Dancing only began a month ago and illnesses and the coronavirus has already affected the contestants and judges.

Just last week, Judi Love was forced to miss the BBC dancing competition after she tested positive for coronavirus.

Two weeks ago, The Peep Show star Robert Webb announced he was leaving the series due to 'ill health'.

Contestants weren't the only ones affected by illness as fans recently warned judge Shirley Ballas about a lump under her arm.

Meanwhile, the popular show has been surrounded by controversy following reports that several of the dancers haven't had their Covid jab.

What happened to the stars this year?

Shirley Ballas

The head judge concerned fans when they spotted the lump while watching the show during the weekend.

Taking their advice, Shirley visited her doctor and is awaiting results from the blood work she had done.

On Tuesday, the star took to social media to thank fans for their help and explained that she had some tests that were done revealed her "hormone levels were not right" which have been "concerning."

After explaining she listened to fans advice, she said: "The doctor said that she thought my levels were not right, my hormone levels were not right.

"So anyway, I went and had a lot of blood work done and now the testosterone's come back ultra-high, the adrenal glands need a scan and my ovaries need a scan. My oestrogen levels are extremely low. All in all, a little concerning for my doctor.

"So that is where we're at at the moment and they are going to set me up an appointment at the King's, in an amazing hospital and just down the road from me."

There is a history of cancer in Shirley's family and she has had two scares herself.

The most recent was in June this year when she discovered a lump in her shoulder.

Judi Love

The 41-year-old presenter - who was partnered with Graziano Di Prima - had to miss last weekend's performance after getting coronavirus.

A Strictly spokesperson said at the time: "Judi Love has tested positive for Covid-19 and is now self-isolating following the latest government guidelines.

"While Judi and Graziano will not be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this weekend, Strictly Come Dancing protocols mean that all being well, they will return the following week."

Two days ago, Judi shared an update on her health from her bed and said she had a 'rough couple of days'.

Judi had "done all the West Indian recipes and remedies" in a bid to get better.

Judi also explained that the rough days had been a warning to "get [her] health in order".

She added that having the virus made it feel as though she was "locked up".

Judi and her dance partner are still due to perform their last dance which is a Cha Cha to Olivia Newton-John's Physical.

Robert Webb

Fan favourite Robert Webb, unfortunately, left the series after 'biting off more than he could chew'.

In a statement, Robert said: “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.

"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."

He went on to gush over his dance partner Dianne Buswell and her 'professionalism and kindness'.

Following his departure, he hit out at the show at how 'unnatural' it felt dealing with the reality show aspect of it.

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Tom Fletcher

They weren't suffering any symptoms (BBC/Guy Levy)
Tom and Amy contracted Covid (BBC)

A week after the new season returned to our screens, McFly singer Tom and his d ance partner Amy Dowden contracted coronavirus.

The two had to miss out on a show to recover from the illness.

Amy had told her followers: "Unfortunately, Tom and I have tested positive for Covid-19.

"I’m not suffering any symptoms but am now isolating at home.

“I have no doubt that over the next 10 days my mind will be going crazy with choreography ideas ready to get back on the Strictly dance floor for the live show in week 3!

“Thank you for all of the support and good luck to all of the couples this week. I will be cheering you all on!”

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