Strictly Come Dancing’s AJ Odudu on crutches after injury ahead of final

Strictly Come Dancing’s AJ Odudu is on crutches following an injury ahead of the final.

With just days before the grand final, the TV presenter has revealed she’s currently unable to rehearsal because of pain in her foot.

She shared with her fans on social media: “I’ve got a repeated traumatic impact injury to my right ankle affecting the joint, capsule and ligaments themselves. I can’t pinpoint a moment it actually happened during training but the pain came on suddenly on Monday night.

“The pain was so acute that I projectile vomited and currently I can’t put any weight on my right foot without agonising discomfort. Because I’m unable to move without crutches, we haven’t been nor will be able to rehearse properly ahead of the live final. To say I’m devastated would be a huge understatement and I am gutted.

“THAT BEING SAID, whilst it’s not the week I had planned I’m trying to remain hopeful and positive. I’m surrounded by a fantastic medical team who are trying their best to get me back on my feet PLUS, I have the most incredible partner @kaiwidd who is carrying me emotionally and physically (literally). Thanks for all your messages. I sincerely hope it will be all right on the night.”

AJ is one of three finalists left in the running to pick up the glitterball alongside TV chef John Whaite and soap star Rose Ayling-Ellis.

In the final the trio will perform a number of routines including a brand new show dance.

Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse will mark all the dances but it’ll be viewer votes alone that determines the winner.

Fronted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, the Strictly Come Dancing final airs Saturday night on BBC One.

As well as the performances from the finalists, the eliminated celebrities will return for a group dance.

Those who took part this year included presenter and broadcaster Dan Walker, broadcaster and sports pundit Ugo Monye, McFly’s Tom Fletcher, actor Nina Wadia OBE and Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty.

Also on the cast were soap actress Katie McGlynn, comedian and presenter Judi Love, CBBC presenter Rhys Stephenson, social media influencer and CBBC presenter Tilly Ramsay.

Completing the 2021 line up are business guru and television personality Sara Davies and actor, comedian & author Robert Webb – who was forced to quit due to injury.

The grand final will also feature a music performance from Ed Sheeran.

You can catch up with the latest episodes from the series so far via BBC iPlayer.