It's been another troubled year for Strictly Come Dancing.
The final on Saturday night has become a two-horse race as AJ Odudu and her partner Kai Widdrington have been forced to pull out due to injury.
Viewers who tuned in last year will have seen the devastating moment Nicola Adams and her partner Katya Jones hung up their dancing shoes when they tested positive for Covid.
HRVY also tested positive ten days before the launch show - but thankfully was still able to take part.
This year, Strictly bosses were probably hoping for much smoother sailing - but total chaos has ensued.
News broke that several dancers on the series had reportedly refused the Covid vaccine, leaving the other stars more vulnerable to an outbreak, while some celebrities battled worrying health issues that left them unable to continue.
A total of six celebrities and their professional counterparts have been forced to pull out this year due to illness and injury - though several were luckily able to return after a period of isolation.
AJ Odudu
Get the news you want straight to your inbox. Sign up for a Mirror newsletter h er e .
AJ Odudu broke viewers' hearts when she announced on Friday she and Kai Widdrington have been forced to pull out from the upcoming final.
A 'traumatic' ankle injury had left the presenter unable to stand, and she had been hobbling around on crutches all week.
The 33-year-old had hoped she'd recover in time, but with barely 24 hours to go until the final, she knew she was beaten.
In a statement, the BBC said: "Sadly due to injury AJ and Kai have had to withdraw from #Strictly and won’t compete in tomorrow’s final. We want to thank them for 13 incredible weeks on the show and the pure joy they brought to the dance floor every week."
AJ said she was heartbroken she had to leave the show, adding: "I am unable to perform in the final due to a torn ligament in my right ankle.
"Learning to dance over the last 13 weeks has been an incredible honour and to do it alongside someone as special, patient and devoted as Kai is something I'll treasure forever.
"Thank you to the Strictly family for the experience, the medical team for trying to get me back on my feet and mostly, to everyone at home for watching and supporting.
"You've made this experience one to remember. Strictly Come Dancing has been a lifelong dream and I'm glad it came true. Good luck to my partners in dance, John & Johannes and Rose and Giovanni. I will be cheering you on (on one leg!)"
Robert Webb
Strictly fans were concerned back in October when Robert Webb, who was paired with Dianne Buswell, abruptly pulled out of the competition due to health concerns.
The 49-year-old comedy actor had undergone heart surgery in recent years and feared he had bitten off more than he could chew by taking part in the show.
In a statement, Robert said: "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.
"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."
Fans hoping to see the Peep Show back for the final were then disappointed to learn he won’t return this weekend – announcing on Instagram on Wednesday: "The producers understood that when I had to stop, I had to stop completely... the offer of one more dance was politely declined."
Judi Love
Loose Women star Judi Love was forced to step back from training and performing for a week after testing positive for coronavirus this year.
Instead, the 41-year-old had to try to learn choreography from her partner Graziano Di Prima over zoom.
A Strictly spokesperson said: "Judi Love has tested positive for Covid-19 and is now self-isolating following the latest government guidelines.
"While Judi and Graziano will not be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this weekend, Strictly Come Dancing protocols mean that all being well, they will return the following week."
Unfortunately for Judi, the dance she learned virtually became her final routine - as she was voted off Strictly on the week she returned after ending up in the dreaded dance-off.
Tilly Ramsay
Tilly Ramsay revealed that she won't be taking part in the final this weekend because she has recently tested positive for Covid-19.
The 20-year-old, who was partnered with Nikita Kuzmin on the BBC series, was set to return for a group dance - having been voted out of the competition last month.
Tilly - who is the daughter of Gordon Ramsay - announced that she will have to miss the final on Saturday as she's isolating.
She shared the news in a post to her 1.2million followers on Instagram on Wednesday afternoon.
Tilly wrote: "So sad to be missing the Strictly final - but sadly have tested positive for Covid so will be watching from my sofa and cheering on the amazing finalists from home on Saturday night."
The chef and social media influencer said that she was "wishing everyone lots of love and good luck" - with her post subsequently attracting well wishes from her followers.
Tom Fletcher
McFly star Tom Fletcher, 36, and his professional partner Amy Dowden had to pull out for a week when they contracted Covid in October.
The BBC said in a statement: "Tom Fletcher and Amy Dowden have tested positive for Covid-19. The pair are now self-isolating separately following the latest government guidelines.
"While they will both miss Saturday’s live show, Strictly Come Dancing protocols mean that all being well, they will return the following week."
At the time, there were reports of a vaccine row brewing behind the scenes, where it was believed three pro dancers have "refused" to get the vaccine.
Amy, 30, was one of the first of her age group to receive the vaccine as she has inflammatory bowel condition Crohn’s disease.
She told her followers: "Unfortunately, Tom and I have tested positive for Covid-19.
"I’m not suffering any symptoms but am now isolating at home.
"I have no doubt that over the next 10 days my mind will be going crazy with choreography ideas ready to get back on the strictly dance floor for the live show in week 3!
"Thank you for all of the support and good luck to all of the couples this week. I will be cheering you all on!"
In the comments section, Tom wrote: "Rest up partner. We've got to pull something special out of the bag for week 3."
Sadly, Tom and Amy were eliminated shortly after their return.
Ugo Monye
Earlier on in the series, rugby star Ugo Monye, 38, pulled out for a week due to health concerns.
He had long suffered from back pain, and with his gruelling Strictly rehearsals with partner Oti Mabuse it got too much to bear.
"Unfortunately I’m not going to be able to dance this weekend on the show. I have a history of back problems which has always been managed under the guidance of medical professionals," he tweeted back in October.
"Unfortunately this has been causing me some unwanted problems this week!
"I have been advised by medical professionals and with huge support from Strictly to get some treatment & rest to ensure that I can get myself back to full capacity & fighting fit for next week.
"Gutted Oti & I won’t be dancing this weekend but wishing all the other contestants the best of luck & will be cheering them on from home! @bbcstrictly," he added.
Soon after he returned to the dance floor, Ugo and Oti were eliminated after losing the dance off with Rhys Stephenson and Nancy Xu.
Do you have a story to share? Email webfeatures@trinitymirror.com
