Drag performer La Voix has withdrawn from this weekend's Strictly Come Dancing Blackpool special following medical advice to rest after sustaining an injury.
The performer, whose real name is Christopher Dennis, will miss the highly anticipated shows at Blackpool Tower Ballroom.
Medical professionals have recommended that La Voix take time to recover from the injury. As a result, the drag queen and professional dance partner Aljaž Skorjanec will not perform this weekend.
According to competition regulations, the pair will be granted automatic progression to the following week's show. Officials hope La Voix will have recovered sufficiently to return to the dancefloor by then.
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Aljaž Škorjanec and La Voix won't perform at Blackpool
| BBCLa Voix expressed profound disappointment about missing the performances at the renowned venue. "It is with immense sadness that I have to withdraw from this weekend's Strictly Come Dancing shows in Blackpool," the performer stated.
"Due to an injury, I've been advised that I'm unable to perform, and my heart truly breaks knowing I won't be dancing in such an iconic venue."
The drag queen acknowledged the extensive preparation undertaken with Mr Skorjanec, saying: "Aljaž and I have worked incredibly hard, and we were so excited to share our routine with everyone."
A programme representative confirmed the medical guidance, stating: "Due to injury, La Voix has been advised by doctors to rest and, as a result, will not dance in this weekend's Blackpool specials."
La Voix also took to Instagram to reach out to fans following the announcement. On the show's official page, the RuPaul's Drag Race star penned: " "My darlings, I wanted to take a moment to speak to you all personally and from the heart.
"As many of you know, I injured my foot last week. With the help of an incredible team—and a whole lot of sparkles and determination—I was able to keep going and perform.
"As the old saying goes, the show must go on, and believe me, I pushed myself to make sure it did.
"However, after my appearance on Saturday night, it became clear that the injury wasn’t improving. I’ve now been advised by medical professionals to rest properly, which means I won’t be able to perform in Blackpool this week.
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La Voix and Aljaž Škorjanec have faced the dance-off already this series
| BBC"It breaks my heart, because performing for all of you means the world to me, but I have to listen to my body so I can come back stronger (and with both heels working!).
"Thank you for your love, your messages, and your endless support. I promise I’ll be cheering everyone on from the sidelines, and I’ll be back on that stage as soon as I’m able—louder, brighter, and sassier than ever. All my love, La Voix." (sic)
Several of the show's professionals rushed to wish La Voix a speedy recovery, along with hundreds of the show's fans.
However, others opted to take the opportunity to implore Strictly bosses to bring back the recently eliminated Vicky Pattison and her pro partner Kai Widdrington.
La Voix has become one of the series best-loved stars
|BBC
"Let Vicky take her place!!!!!" one Instagram user pleaded, while a second echoed: "This is the chance to write the wrong of Vicky going way before her time."
"Petition to bring @vickypattison back!!" a third weighed in, before a fourth similarly typed: "Let Vicky dance!!"
"Oh please bend the rules and let @vickypattison dance," a fifth urged, and a sixth concurred: "Let Vicky come back to dance!" (sic)
Ms Pattison missed out on a spot in Blackpool after losing the dance-off to Balvinder Sopal. With La Voix also now missing out, the Blackpool special will proceed with the remaining six contestants competing at the Tower Ballroom.
BBC Strictly: Vicky Pattison was embraced by her co-stars after being eliminated on Sunday
| BBCPop group Steps will launch Saturday's live broadcast with a medley of their greatest hits, accompanied by the professional dancers, celebrities and all four judges.
Sunday's results programme will showcase a performance by singer Lewis Capaldi alongside the professional dancers. The weekend's entertainment will also feature a special routine bringing together four previous Strictly finalists.
Ashley Roberts, Danny Mac, Jay McGuiness and Layton Williams will return to perform with the professionals in a routine choreographed by Jason Gilkison.
Each will recreate one of their most memorable Strictly moments before uniting for a group performance.
La Voix had secured a position in the competition's upper rankings last weekend, earning 33 points from the judges for a Couple's Choice routine set to Barbara Streisand's Don't Rain On My Parade.
The drag performer sat behind frontrunners Amber Davies, Lewis Cope and Alex Kingston on the leaderboard.