GREG Rutherford has shared an emotional update with fans after a horror injury forced him to pull out of Dancing On Ice.
Earlier this week, the Olympian, 37, revealed his stomach is “in a bad way” after a “really bad accident” during rehearsals cut short his experience on the ITV reality series.
Now Greg has given a touching update on his Instagram Stories.
He posted a picture showing him looking disheartened as he sat on the sofa, yet his little daughter was helping lift his spirits.
She stared straight into the camera as she perched on his lap in a cute logo jumper.
Greg was seen kissing her hand and added the caption: “Hugs with Daph,” followed by a red love heart.
The Long Jump ace has returned home after the mishap during rehearsals yet remains on painkillers.
While he hasn’t clarified the nature of his injury, this week he told fans: “I’m seeing a specialist to figure out a plan of action and everything else, but my stomach is not in a good way and it’s gonna need fixing.”
Later in the day Greg hinted he suffered an abdominal injury, saying he had been for a scan on his stomach and revealed that it “hurt to laugh”.
It came after he admitted he “wasn’t fully prepared” for the show final.
Greg’s withdrawal left Miles Nazaire, 28, Radio One DJ Adele Roberts, 45, and Ryan Thomas, 39, battling it out for the title.
At the time he was forced to pul out, a spokesman for the ITV show added: “Sadly Olympian Greg Rutherford MBE has had to withdraw from Dancing On Ice after sustaining an injury whilst in rehearsals for the final episode of the current series.
“Greg and Vanessa have been such a popular couple this series and have performed some truly memorable routines.
“We will be helping to support Greg and wish him well with his recovery.”
They added: “We also want to thank him for being such a treasured member of the Dancing on Ice family.”
It was not the first mishap, after The Sun revealed his groin injury back in February.
However, he also faced quitting show after horror injury that nearly broke his hip.
At the time of his withdrawal his professional skating partner Vanessa James also announced the news on social media, with a post that stated: “Unfortunately Greg has sustained a significant injury this morning at rehearsals and won’t be able to perform tonight.
She explained: “We are on our way to the hospital for Greg to get examined further and receive the treatment he needs.”
He had been a favourite to win the 2024 series, with the Ice King title then going to Ryan.
Who has won Dancing On Ice?
AS the final of Dancing On Ice 2024 looms, we look back at the previous celebrity winners – from the first series in 2006 until 2023.
The ITV show has run for 16 seasons, with a break from 2014-2018.
Here’s the rundown – with one pro skater winning an impressive hat-trick:
Season 1, 2006: Gaynor Faye & Dan Whiston
Season 2, 2007: Kyran Bracken & Melanie Lambert
Season 3, 2008: Suzanne Shaw & Matt Evers
Season 4, 2009: Ray Quinn & Maria Filippov
Season 5, 2010: Hayley Tamaddon & Dan Whiston
Season 6, 2011: Sam Attwater & Brianne Delcourt
Season 7, 2012: Matthew Wolfenden & Nina Ulanova
Season 8, 2013: Beth Tweddle & Dan Whiston
Season 9, 2014 (All Stars): Ray Quinn & Maria Filippov
Season 10, 2018: Jake Quickenden & Vanessa Bauer
Season 11, 2019: James Jordan & Alexandra Schauman
Season 12, 2020: Joe Swash & Alex Murphy
Season 13, 2021: Sonny Jay & Angela Egan
Season 14, 2022: Regan Gascoigne & Karina Manta
Season 15, 2023: Nile Wilson & Olivia Smart
James Parker is a UK-based entertainment aficionado who delves into the glitz and glamour of the entertainment industry. From Hollywood to the West End, he offers readers an insider’s perspective on the world of movies, music, and pop culture.