Max Evans will be skating with a DIFFERENT partner on Sunday night’s Dancing On Ice.
The rugby star confirmed via Instagram that his usual partner, Ale Izquierdo, has been diagnosed with a serious case of the flu and will not be able to skate this weekend.
According to Max, producers have told Ale she’s in no fit state to train or perform – even though she was keen to soldier on.
The 24-year-old said: “Ale has had a serious case of the flu all week and producers have decided she’s not well enough to train or perform.
“I know Ale, and I know this isn’t her call, she is one of the bravest fighters I know and she would fight anything to perform on the show!”
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Ale confirmed the news herself, saying producers had made the decision after she spent several days unwell and had to visit the hospital.
She said: “Production has made the decision that I won’t be allowed to skate on Sunday so I can properly recover and won’t spread it around to my partner, the rest of the cast and production.
“However I would like to say that I wish and hope with all my heart that my partner does an amazing job this Sunday.”
Max will instead skate with Brandee Malto, who had been paired with Coronation Street star Antony Cotton before their elimination last weekend.
It’s a last minute decision as Max only found out about this partner change on Thursday, giving them just a few days to train before Sunday’s skate.
He said: “I have no doubt Brandee is up for the huge challenge we face and I want everyone to know we are going to work our butts off to deliver a performance Ale will be proud of.
“Please take the time to send Ale get well messages, I know she’s absolutely gutted and very poorly right now.”
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Ale added: “I truly hope they both do really good, and make it through this week, so I have the chance to remain in the competition the following week since my beautiful mum is flying in next week to hopefully see me skate in the semifinal.
“Fingers crossed it all goes good for them while I get to recover and hopefully get the chance to skate for my mother!”
Ale sent her thanks to Brandee for “being such a trooper” and stepping up at the last minute.
While there have been many celebrities and skaters who have fallen ill during the series, this is the first time someone has actually had to pull out of a main show performance.
Get well soon, Ale – and good luck Max and Brandee!
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