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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Victoria Johns

Dancing On Ice star suffers horrific neck injury while training for the ITV show

Dancing On Ice star Darren Harriott suffered a painful neck injury while training for the ITV programme.

The comedian, 34, who has starred in shows including Love Island : Aftersun, fell on the ice while practicing a lift with pro skater Tippy Packard.

Taking to Instagram, Darren explained he'd been left with whiplash as a result of the accident and was unable to lift his arm or turn his head.

"Soooooo... I fell backwards yesterday on the ice near the end of my lesson and I now have whiplash," he told his followers.

"I can't turn my head properly or raise my left arm. This is a big week for everyone on Dancing on Ice because it's promo filming and show-and-tell so I'm gutted."

However, sounding more upbeat, the comic added: "I need a few days to bring down the inflammation and then it's back to 'Spice on ice' with my amazing partner."

Darren Harriott thanked fans for their support after his scary injury (darrenharriott/Instagram)
The comedian is partnered with Tippy Packard (darrenharriott/Instagram)

Seeing the funny side of the mishap, Darren concluded: "Does anyone else hear whiplash and immediately think about fake accident claims?

"Everyone would always add whiplash on top for a claim. 'Ye tell em you got whiplash too they won't check.'"

Darren spoke out about his concerns for his safety on the ice when he was revealed as contestant for the new series in October.

Darren admitted he was nervous about doing the show (darrenharriott/Instagram)
He's starred in Love Island's Aftersun (Jonathan Hordle/REX/Shutterstock)

He told Trisha Goddard on TalkTV : "I'm panicking. I'm worried. I can't skate, I don't really dance. What am I doing? I'm worried I'm going to fly and just go into Schofield."

Pointing out another stumbling block ahead of his debut on the show next year, he added: "I've got the biggest feet they've ever had on the show they've said - I'm only a size 13.

"I don't have boots yet - I'm the only person who doesn't have boots."

The star joins a host of celebs all getting their skates on, including Joey Essex, who also injured himself on the ice.

The TOWIE star took to Instagram with a plaster on his finger, telling fans to 'respect the ice'.

The TOWIE star posted a pic of his bloodied hand (joeyessex/Instagram)

Uploading a snap of his bloodied hand, Joey wrote: "Respect the ice, otherwise the ice will not respect you… Day 2".

In the pic, the reality star could be seen sporting a bandaged finger with a splint for support.

Fans rushed to send their get well wishes and words of encouragement as Joey hopes to make a big impact on the show in January.

One follower tweeted: "Those ice skates can be lethal! Take care Joey".

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