Robert Webb has announced that he is leaving Strictly Come Dancing.
The Peep Show star said on Wednesday (October 13) that he will be resigning as Dianne Buswell's celebrity partner after seeking an emergency consultation from his doctors.
Webb has shared previously that he had open-heart surgery a few years ago, and recently had a recurrence of symptoms that led him to seek another medical evaluation.
His full statement reads: "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.
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"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 continued: "I'm proud of the three dances that Dianne Buswell and I managed to perform and deeply regret having to let her down like this. 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. Thanks too to everyone at home who voted for us.
"It was always going to be a difficult mountain to climb (for one thing it's made of glitter so it's very skiddy) and I've been especially touched by the support from fellow heart patients. I think perhaps I was too eager to impress them. They will know that recovery doesn't always go in a straight line, and I hope they're not too disappointed that I ran into the limits of my resilience much sooner than I'd hoped."
Webb added: "I leave knowing that Strictly viewers are in very safe hands and I'll be cheering for my brother and sister contestants all the way to Christmas. Despite this sad ending, it has been a genuine honour to be part of this huge, joyful and barking mad TV show. Long may it continue."
The duo struggled in the first week with a score of 20, but improved in the next weeks with a 27 in the tango and a 25 in the quickstep. They'd also managed to stay safe throughout.
"As a massive fan of Robert's, I was delighted to find out that he was joining the Strictly family. On top of this, to find out he was my partner was the icing on the cake," Dianne said on Wednesday. "We made a great team, worked hard and had a good laugh along the way. I am so proud of the three amazing dances we produced.
"I know Robert had a lot more to give to the competition but his health, of course, comes first and I wish him a speedy recovery. I feel lucky to have danced with him and to call him a friend."
Twelve couples remain in the competition for the Strictly Come Dancing crown — and they're back in the ballroom this weekend.
Strictly Come Dancing 2021 continues on Saturday (October 16) on BBC One.
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