Gogglebox star Stephen Lustig-Webb has quit Dancing On Ice after breaking his ankle in a horror fall, Web can reveal.
Stephen, 52, left the Channel 4 show after a decade with a desire to pursue further TV opportunities and was quickly signed up for the ITV dance series.
But after suffering a horrific accident in training on Wednesday, he was taken to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, where doctors told him he had broken his left ankle and would be on crutches for at least the next three months.
The TV personality underwent surgery to have metal plates inserted into his ankle for extra support, but there is no hope of him getting back on the ice.
Sources close to Stephen say he has “really enjoyed the new challenge” of getting to know judges Torvill and Dean as well as the other celebrity contestants and is “disappointed” to have lost his place in the competition before the show even started.
Gogglebox star Stephen Lustig-Webb has quit Dancing On Ice after breaking his ankle in a horror fall, Web can reveal
After suffering a freak training accident on Wednesday, Stephen was rushed to Queen Alexandra Hospital in Portsmouth, where doctors told him he had broken his ankle and would need to use crutches for at least the next three months
A source close to Stephen told Web that he was “really enjoying the new challenge” and getting to know his co-stars including West End star Amber Davies, former Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas and Made In Chelsea’s Miles Nazaire
Stephen joined Lorraine to reveal he would be joining the star line-up this year before his dreams of appearing live on the ITV series were dashed this week
They said: “Stephen is devastated… he’s completely devastated.”
“He loved training but when he put his skates on he broke his ankle and was taken to hospital.
“After two days and an operation to insert metal plates into his left ankle, medics informed him that he had no chance of training again, leaving him no choice but to withdraw from the competition.”
A Dancing On Ice spokesman said: “Stephen Lustig-Webb had to withdraw from the show due to sustaining an ankle injury during training.”
“He is still an integral part of the Dancing On Ice family. We will support Stephen and wish him all the best in his recovery.”
It is the latest blow for Dancing On Ice as bosses are still considering who will host the series when it returns to ITV in January.
Holly Willoughby, 42, is yet to decide whether she will remain at the top after announcing she is taking a lengthy break from television.
The TV star suddenly left This Morning last week after 14 years when an alleged plot to kidnap and murder her came to light.
An ITV spokesman confirmed Stephen had been forced to withdraw from the show but said he “remains part of the Dancing On Ice family”.
Stephen left Gogglebox earlier this year after a decade on the show in the hope of pursuing further opportunities in television
Stephen Mulhern confirmed to Web this week that he was in talks with producers to front Dancing On Ice and said working with his close friend Holly was a great opportunity
And her former Dancing On Ice co-host Phillip Schofield, 61, was sacked by ITV in May after admitting lying about an affair with a much younger colleague.
The pair have appeared as hosts of Dancing On Ice for the past 14 series, but ITV has not yet confirmed whether Phil will be replaced or if Holly will return.
Stephen Mulhern confirmed to Web this week that he was in talks with producers to front Dancing On Ice and said working with his close friend Holly again would be a “great” opportunity.
He explained: “I used to do the spin-off show Defrosted and when I stepped in for Phil when he wasn’t feeling too well because he had Covid, I really enjoyed it and it was so nice, “To be with Holly again.”
“We had a great time together and a lot of the team were the same as when I was on the ITV2 show.”
“We’re talking about it, but I promise you now that nothing is confirmed, but if it happens it will be absolutely amazing… if not, look, it’s not happening.” I promise you I would tell you if we did had confirmed it at that time.
“The lineup is the best it’s been in a few years… I’m keeping the lineup just in case… It’s a big staple and it’s already there.”