Strictly Come Drama! Aliona Vilani to miss first show after fracturing her ankle... as Johnny Ball is left without a partner
- Bosses draft in replacement partner for Johnny in first show
- Aliona's Saturday appointment will determine how long she is off for
But TV legend Johnny Ball has now been left without a partner after dancer Aliona Vilani suffered an injury to her ankle during training.
The 28-year-old redhead - who won the competition alongside Harry Judd last year - posted a series of pictures on her Twitter page, and explained she had suffered a hairline fracture to her ankle, leaving her on crutches.
Out of action: Aliona Vilani has suffered a hairline fracture to her ankle
She said: 'Having an x-ray in the hospital...and the verdict is...it's a hairline fracture on the right ankle bone...
'Tweeting from my sick bed...but don't worry I'm being a good patient. Was given a BOOT and CRUTCHES...my first time ever for both.
'Thank you all so much for you amazing messages of support!!!! I'm sure I'll recovery soon lots of love!!!!'
And while the star is hopeful to recover soon, she will be out of the competition for the next 'two to four weeks'.
'Tweeting from my hospital bed': Aliona is expected to be out of action for the next two to four weeks, meaning she will miss the first Strictly Come Dancing live show
A statement on the Strictly Come Dancing website said: 'Aliona suffered a hairline fracture to her ankle today while training with partner Johnny Ball.
'[That is] putting her prospects for dancing in the first Strictly live show on October 5 on hold.
'Initial prognosis suggests our plucky pro-dancer may be out of action for the next two to four weeks, but a further appointment tomorrow will confirm her condition.'
Gruesome: Aliona posted a series of pictures of her injury on to her Twitter page
Meanwhile, a stand-in replacement will partner Johnny for the first live show next weekend.
A Strictly Come Dancing spokesperson told MailOnline: 'We are finding a stand-in replacement to partner Johnny for the first show, but haven't had any confirmation on who that will be yet.
'We aren't sure when Aliona will be returning to the competition. It's all dependant on what is said when she sees a specialist.'
In crisis: Johnny Ball has now been left without a partner for the first Strictly Come Dancing live show
And while Aliona was flooded with messages of support from her fellow professional dancers, it would seem James Jordan was pleased to see one of his competitors temporarily out of the show.
Writing on his Twitter page, he joked: 'One PRO down!!! Only 12 to go!!!!!!'
Strictly Come Dancing returns to screens on October 5.
All-smiles: Johnny and Aliona were thrilled to be partnered alongside one another, but the TV legend will now have to dance with a 'stand-in' partner for the time being
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2210019/Strictly-Come-Dancing-2012-Aliona-Vilani-miss-fracturing-ankle.html#ixzz27n7OI418
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