Debbie McGee’s promising stint on Strictly Come Dancing has been thrown into jeopardy after dance partner Giovanni Pernice injured his shoulder.
The Italian dancer damaged his shoulder after lifting Debbie during their dance on last Saturday’s live show.
After being banned from practising any lifts during rehearsals this week, the Strictly team have got everything crossed that 27 year old Giovanni will be fit enough to preform in tonight’s show.
Show bosses were so worried that Giovanni might not be able to perform that they have even been looking into possible replacements to dance with Debbie this weekend.
After plenty of rest this week, it looks like Giovanni will be able to dance tonight, but it’s touch and go.
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A source revealed to The Sun, “Gio completely twisted his shoulder doing a lift in last week’s show and a paramedic had to be called.
“He went to see a specialist who told him he needed to recover, dose up on pain killers and take a break from rehearsals.
“It’s been very touch and go as to whether Debbie would need a new partner as Gio has been in quite a bit of pain but he’s done all he can to get back to full fitness so it looks like he’ll still be on the dance floor.
“It’s lucky they’re doing a tango this week too as that means there’s going to be no lifts anyway.”
Debbie and Giovanni have formed a strong bond since they started dancing together earlier in the year, with the magician’s assistant sharing fond memories of her late husband, Paul, with her dance partner.
This week they’ll be dancing their sultry tango to the Black Eyed Peas hit, I Gotta Feeling.
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Debbie has wowed both viewers and judges over recent weeks with her dancing abilities and is one of the bookies favourites to win the show alongside Aston Merrygold and Alexandra Burke.