Rachel Stevens says she is “frustrated” after picking up an injury which will force her out of the show this weekend - and throws the ITV series into further chaos.
The former S Club star, 43, has fractured her wrist so can’t take part or train for now - giving the show even bigger problems with its contestants.
Earlier this week bosses were rocked by the news Bez has tested positive for covid and so will not be able to train this week and will need negative tests before returning to the rink.
The series only started last weekend and problems are mounting.
Rachel, who has actually been off the ice for a month now, will need to get the all clear from medics to even skate in week three.
She said: “I've got a meeting with the consultant this week so fingers crossed as soon as I get the all clear I can go back on the ice. It is so frustrating but you know what, these things happen and it's the risk you take.
She added: “I fractured my wrist at the beginning of December. I didn’t realise I had done it at the time. Healing time for a fractured wrist is 6 weeks really so I’ve just been following the advice of the medics and doing all the advice they've told me to do to keep it strong.”
Fellow contestants admit they are being extra careful to avoid same thing happening to them.
An ITV spokesman said: "Due to an injury sustained in training and on the expert advice from the Dancing on Ice medical professionals, Rachel Stevens will not skate in this Sunday's show. We look forward to her returning to the show next weekend."
Rachel, who is partnered with professional Brendyn Hatfield, was due to skate alongside fellow celebrities Connor Ball, Ben Foden, Liberty Poole, Regan Gascoigne and Stef Reid.
She fractured her wrist after falling on the ice during training, Bez, whose real name is Mark Berry, took to the ice during Sunday's live show, but tested positive for Covid-19 the following day.
Other contestants taking part in the show admitted Rachel’s fall and subsequent injury had made them try to be more careful as what had happened was “scary”.
Connor, from band The Vamps, said: “Obviously it can happen to anyone, that’s the scary thing.
“So yeah, especially seeing Rachel you've just got to be extra careful, get those guards on, warm up and all that. Prevent anything like that happening again.”
Former rugby player Foden added: “Obviously with any professional sport, you come into it with an element of danger and I think people at home don't realise how tough and hard it is to be a skater, not even to a level of the guys we skate with, the stuff that they do on the ice is ridiculous and its dangerous.
"So when we get to a level when we can put on a show, we're going to be pushing ourselves pushing them and things are going to happen. And it's all part and parcel of it, we all signed up to it.
"Luckily Rachel is tough as old boots and is bouncing back, if it was me, I'd be lying in a hospital somewhere probably crying so all testament to Rachel.”
*Dancing On Ice continues on ITV on Sunday night at 6.30pm.
