Stefan Dennis has heartbreakingly revealed he can’t fly home to Australia and see his family after being struck down with a calf injury.
On Monday the ‘devastated’ Neighbours actor, 66, announced he had been forced to pull out of the BBC competition after suffering the injury.
Stefan has revealed he had already ripped his calf muscle when performing the Charleston with his pregnant pro partner Dianne Buswell last week.
In a new interview since he quit the show, Stefan admitted painkillers were the only thing getting him through the pain during his performance.
His injury has meant he is unable to travel down under until next month because medics have banned him from flying, leaving his wife of 25 years Gail Easdale upset.
Despite the setback, the soap star appeared cheery on the red carpet at the Pride Of Britain awards on Monday night.
Stefan Dennis, 66, has heartbreakingly revealed he can’t fly home to Australia and see his family after being struck down with a calf injury
His injury has meant he is unable to travel down under until next month because medics have banned him from flying, leaving his wife of 25 years Gail Easdale upset (pictured together)
He told The Mirror following the ceremony: ‘I can’t fly for another two weeks because of the risk of deep vein thrombosis which my wife is pretty upset about. I just feel like I’ve let everyone down.
‘They all say I haven’t, of course, and the pros know all about injuries, but it feels like a shame to go out in this way. It was all going so well.
‘When you go out, you want it to be because the viewers have spoken, because it’s your time, not like this.’
Dianne furiously hit back at claims Stefan’s early exit from the show was ‘planned’ in order to accommodate her pregnancy.
Taking to her Instagram Stories Dianne, 36, who is expecting her first child with boyfriend Joe Sugg, clapped back at the suggestion it was all a rouse, saying that despite her pregnancy she had more energy than ever.
Taking to her Instagram Stories Dianne shared a comment from one fan which read: ‘To be honest I saw this coming, Diane couldn’t really continue especially when she gets bigger, bless her,’.
‘She’s a brilliant dancer and she is one of my favourites sorry to say but I think this was planned to keep her and baby safe, just my thought’.
Fuming Dianne hit back: ‘I sound like a broken record but I’m seeing a bit of this floating around again! I know people say ignore it but actually why should I’.
On Monday the ‘devastated’ Neighbours actor announced he had been forced to pull out of the BBC competition after suffering the injury
Stefan has revealed he had already ripped his calf muscle when performing the Charleston with his pregnant pro partner Dianne Buswell last week
Despite the setback, the soap star appeared cheery on the red carpet at the Pride Of Britain awards on Monday night
Stefan said at the ceremony: ‘I can’t fly for another two weeks because of the risk of deep vein thrombosis which my wife is pretty upset about. I just feel like I’ve let everyone down’
‘I will speak up… I would love nothing more than to keep dancing this week next week the week after that so so on and so forth. In fact I have more energy this year than I did this time last year’.
Before adding: ‘Please respect Stefan who is extremely gutted to not be able to dance and stop presuming this was a set up! Because believe me we would if we could.’
Last weekend, Stefan and Dianne came back fighting after he pulled out of the show due to an illness.
Of his departure, Stefan wrote: ‘This morning I woke up to the most disappointing day of my time in my Strictly journey.
‘Just when I had finally gained the confidence to do well with my dancing in the competition and achieve more great dances along the way, I was told that on Saturday I had torn my calf so significantly that I am now forced to withdraw from the show.
‘I can’t tell you how devastated I am to have to leave so prematurely especially, as there has been, and still is, so much love and support from everyone for both Dianne and myself.
‘I owe both the Strictly Family and Dianne a massive debt of gratitude for giving me the opportunity to fulfil my dream of being able to dance with my wife. (When my leg is better).
‘Fun fact for all the avid Neighbours fans… it’s the same leg! [laughing face emoji]’
Dianne furiously hit back at claims Stefan’s early exit from the show was ‘planned’ in order to accommodate her pregnancy
The post read: ‘Sadly due to an injury Stefan Dennis is leaving. We have loved watching Stefan and Dianne create magic on the dance floor with their Team Aussie energy. He will be sorely missed by the entire family. ❤️’
Following the news of Stefan’s departure, his partner Dianne wrote: ‘stefo I’m so sorry our strictly journey was cut short just as that confidence was starting to grow. But you can walk away with your head held high.
‘You can go home to your wonderful wife put your hand out and say would you like to cha cha cha with me the main reason for being on this show was to be able to dance with her and you can certainly do that now.
‘You are the kindest human I have ever worked with and I can always say I got to dance with the iconic neighbours legend Stefan Dennis or as my dad calls ya Paul Robertson ❤️
‘Can’t wait for you to send me the video of you and Gail dancing together’
Stefan is the third star to quit Strictly, following Dani Dyer and Kristian Nairn who were forced to pull out.
Dani, 29, one of the show’s favourites, had to bow out, after fracturing her ankle during a training rehearsal.
Kristian quit the series before it began citing medical reasons.
