Strictly Come Dancing confirms Jaime Winstone's absence, and provides the reason why she's missing

Strictly Come Dancing's Emma Willis and Josh Widdecombe shared their well wishes to Jaime Winstone as she's forced to miss this week's show.

On Wednesday, it was revealed actress Jaime, who is dancing with pro partner Carlos Gu, will be missing from this week's show after sustaining an injury in rehearsal.

As the show kicked off its seventh week tonight, hosts Willis, Widdecombe and Johannes Radebe explained Jaime's absence to viewers who might have missed the news.

After Radebe congratulated the contestants on meeting the halfway point, Widdecombe told cameras: "Unfortunately, we are missing one couple, Jaime and Carlos.

"Jaime has been advised not to perform this weekend on medical grounds."

However, he assured viewers that she could still return to the dancefloor, noting: "Under the rules of the competition, she receives a bye through to next week."

Willis then added: "Now Jaime, we know that you are watching from home tonight. We miss you so much, and we are sending you all of our love, and we hope you get better soon."

The audience then gave the couple a round of applause.

Following the announcement this week, Jaime said in a statement: "I am absolutely devastated not to be dancing this weekend due to a torn abdominal muscle.

"I am in considerable pain, and my doctors have advised complete rest to give my body the best possible chance to heal. As frustrating as it is, I have to put my health first and follow their advice to step away from dancing this week."

Want to see this content?

This page contains content provided by Google reCAPTCHA. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Google reCAPTCHA may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow Google reCAPTCHA and its required purposes.

Winstone is the second contestant this series to be forced to miss a week of the competition, following Delta Goodrem fracturing a rib during rehearsals just three weeks into the competition.

She was also given a bye week, but has since been able to return to the dancefloor – performing a Samba to Jennifer Lopez's Let's Get Loud.

Jaime's return to the show is yet to be confirmed, with doctors' orders this week deciding whether she can perform again, or withdraw from the competition.

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday and Sunday nights on BBC One and iPlayer.

Add Strictly Come Dancing to your watchlist on the Radio Times: What to Watch app – download now for daily TV recommendations, features and more.

Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.

Authors

Tilly Pearce is a freelance TV journalist whose coverage ranges from reality shows like Love Is Blind to sci-fi shows like Fallout. She is an NCTJ Gold Standard accredited journalist, who has previously worked as Deputy TV Editor (maternity cover) at Digital Spy, and Deputy TV & Showbiz Editor at Daily Express US.