Jake Quickenden forced to quit Dancing On Ice Christmas special due to injury

Jake Quickenden has been forced to withdraw from Dancing On Ice’s upcoming Christmas special.

ITV previously announced Dancing on Ice at Christmas to air later this year.

It will see 2019’s celebrity contestants and professional skaters on the ice for the first time, as well as performances from some of Dancing on Ice’s most popular alumni.

2018 winner Jake Quickenden had been due to perform but has been forced to pull out due to an injury.

Jake tweeted: “Absolutely devastated that I have had to pull out of @dancingonice Christmas launch show….. I have broken a bone in my neck and I lost Feeling in my right arm and hand for a few days after the injury, luckily this is improving but I don’t have enough time to heal unfortunately.

“I have to put into perspective that I can’t risk falling and damaging my neck even more, I obviously was so looking forward to dancing again with @vanessabauer_skates and I wanted to take part but the amazing medical team think it’s a risk and I know what I’m like and I put 100% into everything and with ice skating this means I fall a lot and one bad fall could be really really bad!!

“Really gutted but I will support all the amazing people taking part! I’ll be back stronger than ever soon enough and I like a challenge ❤️…… gutted”

Dancing On Ice added: Unfortunately due to an existing injury, and on medical grounds, @JakeQuickenden will no longer be able to participate in #DancingOnIce at Christmas. We wish you a speedy recovery Jake! ?”

While Jake is no longer able to skate, former winner Ray Quinn is still set to take to the ice as well as ice legends Torvill and Dean.

The Christmas special will air in December with an exact air date to be revealed.

The show will introduce the 12 new Dancing On Ice contestants who were revealed earlier this year.

Those on the line up for 2020 include TV personality, Joe Swash, ITV newsreader Lucrezia Millarini, TV personality Caprice and Steps singer Ian ‘H’ Watkins.

Joining them are TV personality and chat show legend Trisha Goddard, American actress model, Love Islander Maura Higgins, TV magician Ben Hanlin and soap star Lisa George.

Also on the cast are footballer Kevin Kilbane, TV entertainer Michael Barrymore, Paralympic sprinter Libby Clegg and Diversity dancer Perri Kiely.

Following the Xmas special, Dancing On Ice will launch its new series in 2020 on ITV.