Dancing On Ice’s Alexandra Schauman ‘devastated’ after partner Jason Donovan is forced to quit show with back injury

DANCING On Ice's Alexandra Schauman has revealed she is "devastated" after partner Jason Donovan was forced to quit the show with a back injury.

The Neighbours star, 52, missed the ITV show over a week ago with bosses hoping their big money signing would be fit enough to return this weekend.

But he is in too much pain, and had to tell bosses he could no
longer skate in the hit show.

The show has been thrown in to chaos with a number of stars being forced to quit due to injury.

Jason's partner Alexandra has now shared her own pain at leaving the show early, but said it had been a "privilege" to work with him.

Speaking on Instagram the pro skater wrote: "Finding it hard to find the right words right now... What a true honour and privilege to have been partnered with @jdonofficial on this series of @dancingonice To say that I was star struck when we first met would be an understatement even though I played it cool and I think he didn’t notice Told him later though [laughing emoji] (sic)."

Alexandra feels particularly disappointed about Jason's early exit because she thinks they had "so much more to show".

Her post continued: "Beyond gutted that our time on the ice together has come to such an abrupt end when I feel like we had so much more to show you all.

"But as always, thank you so much for all your love and support, couldn’t have done it without you and a huge thank you to everyone involved with the production of this fantastic show

"It has been a tough year but I will always treasure these months on the ice knowing that we hopefully have brought some magic into people’s living rooms on Sunday night! I will continue to cheer everyone on and wishing my wonderful partner in crime a speedy recovery [bicep and heart emojis] (sic)"

It comes after Jason expressed his own pain at being forced to quit the show.

Posting a video on Facebook he said: "I am devastated to announce that due to this ongoing back issue that occurred on Dancing On Ice about ten days ago and at the advice of my medical team in the show that unfortunately I can't continue in the competition and therefore have to withdraw.

"It's a nightmare and I'm completely gutted. We put so much work into getting to this point but I have to respect my health and I have to respect my body moving forward. That is my biggest priority.

"I want to thank everyone at Dancing On Ice - the judges, Phil, Holly, the production team, the runners, and most importantly within that I want to thank the celebrities who have become friends and also the pros who just do such a great job with us all.

"I want to thank the fans for voting for me - sometimes those costumes were colourful and sometimes those moves were dubious but we tried and went out there and gave it our best."

It means that despite producers for the show pausing the entire
programme for a week so that he could rest, it was in vain.

It also leaves producers of the show back at square one in terms of
numbers with five famous faces being forced to withdraw this series
alone, with no more back-ups available to call upon.

A source said: "It's just utter carnage this year.

"There's injuries left right and centre, and Covid on top of that. No one could have foreseen this level of drop outs."

The latest withdrawal comes after show favourite Joe-Warren Plant and
partner Vanessa Bauer were forced to quit after they both tested
positive for coronavirus.

Bosses are now planning to invite them back to fill the void.

Before that, West End star Denise Van Outen had to withdraw due to a
broken shoulder.

Towie’s Billie Shepherd quit after a heavy fall on the ice, and Rufus
Hound was booted after also testing positive for coronavirus for a
second time.

Coronation Street actress Faye Brookes, 33, is now the bookies
favourite to triumph.