Greg Rutherford gives health update after star was forced to quit live Dancing on Ice final
11 March 2024, 13:34 | Updated: 11 March 2024, 15:41
Retired Olympian Greg Rutherford has updated fans on his health after his Dancing On Ice accident, while also congratulating co-star Ryan Thomas on his win.
Listen to this article
Loading audio...
Just hours before the finale of the ITV ice skating competition on Sunday, the Olympic long jumper had to pull out due to suffering a "significant injury" during rehearsals.
Ryan, who plays Jason Grimshaw in Coronation Street, and his partner Amani Fancy went on to win the series after impressing the judges and viewers with a dramatic warrior-themed routine and their interpretation of Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean's famous Bolero.
On Monday, Greg , 37, shared a photo of him in bed to his Instagram story and wrote: "Recovery sort of starts now... after a pretty rough first night, I'm looking forward to getting everything sorted and sewn up so I can get back to normal.
"Thank you all so much for your kind messages," the father of three added with a love heart emoji.
He also added he was "so proud" of Ryan who dedicated his trophy to Greg.
The former Olympian added: "He's had his fair share of ups and downs during his process, so to come out winning it utterly spectacular.
"Well done brother, I'm glad I've got a friend for life in you."
Read more: Chaos at the Oscars: Al Pacino announces Oppenheimer as Best Picture without opening the envelope
On Sunday, Greg said he was "devastated" to have to pull out of the finale which he was due to perform with his dancing partner Vanessa James.
In a video posted to Instagram, he said: "I know this looks very dramatic, and everything else.
"Sadly, I picked up a big injury in rehearsals. I'm on my way to the hospital so I will not be performing on Dancing On Ice tonight.
"I am devastated but these things happen. So stay tuned, we'll keep you updated. What a nightmare way for this to finish."
Before the show kicked off, he also sent a good luck message to the finalists and hoped they had an "incredible night".
Ryan Thomas, 35, saw off tough competition from Made In Chelsea star Miles Nazaire, who came second, and broadcaster Adele Roberts, who came third, in the ice-skating competition finale.
During his winner's speech, Thomas thanked his ice skating partner Amani Fancy for putting in "so much hard work" to train him before he sent a message to Rutherford.
He said: "Listen, Greg, if you're watching this at home, this trophy is for you, mate."
During the grand finale, the couples all delivered one final special performance while Mr Thomas and Mr Nazaire both performed interpretations of Torvill and Dean's famous routine.
Thomas pulled out all the stops for his warrior-themed finale routine with Ms Fancy, which included a host of other ice skaters.
Their powerful performance to Believer by Imagine Dragons, featuring dramatic lifts and spins, secured the pair a perfect 40 from the judges.
Praising the pair, Christopher Dean said: "You put your heart and soul into that right from the beginning, you left it all out there on the ice."
This year marks the 40th anniversary of Torvill and Dean winning gold at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo.
The finale also saw Torvill and Dean perform an emotional and elegant routine to Hold My Hand by Lady Gaga.
