AJ Odudu has pulled out of the Strictly Come Dancing tour on medical advice, it has been announced.
The presenter has pulled out of the BBC show’s tour after injuring her foot ahead of the live final and now, weeks later, she has been forced to pull out of the upcoming tour too.
She will be replaced by EastEnders star Maisie Smith, who was a finalist in the 2020 series.
AJ shared a video explaining “she was so optimistic” to think she could perform on a 64 day tour.
She shared details her rehabilitation process to her 224,000 followers including how she has to “learn to walk again before she can dance again,” following the injury to her ankle.
(Image: PA)
She says her injury is: “Moving in a positive direction but dancing will cause it more harm than good.
“I’m sorry I can’t be on tour and gutted I won’t be dancing with Kai again and sad I’m not gunna be reunited with my strictly pals.”
AJ recorded a video of herself from home as she said: “Following medical advice, sadly I’ve had to withdraw from the @strictlycomedancinglive due to injury.
“I had hoped for one last dance with @kaiwidd & we were both so looking forward to finally showing you our (unseen) show dance, but it turns out I can’t go straight from wearing a medical moonboot to performing in 37 shows in 3 inch heels. Who knew?!”
Strictly Come Dancing Tour has released a statement which read: “Sadly AJ Odudu has had to withdraw from the tour on medical advice following an injury to her foot last December.
“However we are happy to confirm that Strictly 2020 finalist and former EastEnders star Maisie Smith join the tour and will dance with Kai Widdrington.”
(Image: ajodudu/Instagram)
Maisie Smith: “I’m thrilled to be asked to restart my Strictly journey on this year’s arena tour. Kai and I will be dancing the Quickstep and the Samba – I can’t wait for rehearsals to start next week.
“It will be a joy to dance with everyone… I wish AJ a speedy recovery.”
In a formal statement, AJ said that she was “devastated” to not be able to take part, adding that she hoped for “one last dance” with Kai.
However, she has promised fans that she will definitely be there in the audience as she will be “cheering on” her Strictly family.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
