Jennifer Metcalfe quits Splash!...as it's revealed she 'feared it would be like she is going head-to-head with Samia'
By FEHINTOLA BETIKU and FAY STRANG
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She was supposed to mend her broken heart by diving in head first with a new challenge - taking part in new entertainment show Splash!.
But an ITV spokesperson has confirmed to the MailOnline that Jennifer Metcalfe has decided to pull out of the diving show.
It is thought the 29-year-old has dropped out because she is worried it will look as though she is going head-to-head with Dancing on Ice contestant Samia Ghadie, who has reportedly started dating her ex Sylvain Longchambon.
Quit: It's been confirmed that Jennifer Metcalfe will no longer be taking part in new TV show Splash!
ITV have said they will not release an official statement until they have found a replacement for the soap star.
A source told The Sun newspaper: ‘She feared it looked like she was going head-to-head with Samia.’
Jennifer was due to star in the first ever episode of Splash! – which will see Olympic bronze medallist Tom Daley teach a host of celebrities how to dive - this Saturday while Samia will make her Dancing on Ice debut on Sunday.
Worried: It is thought Jennifer has pulled out because she is worried it will look like she is competing with Samia Ghadie
But Samia – who split with her Coronation Street co-star boyfriend Will Thorp before Christmas – has spoken out to insist she is ‘single’ and ‘just having fun’ skating alongside Sylvain, who split with former Dancing on Ice contestant Jennifer after confessing he had ‘developed feelings’ for Samia.
A host of star names including Sugababe Jade Ewen, The Only Way is Essex star Joey Essex, model Caprice, comedian Omid Djalili and Benidorm actor Jake Canuso have signed up for Splash!, and Tom believes the celebrities will need to be ‘adrenaline junkies’ to succeed on the show.
The 18-year-old star told the Daily Star newspaper: ‘I still get scared going off the high 10m platform, and I've been doing it since I was eight years old!
Something to smile about? Jennifer looked happy as she headed to the theatre
Dressed down: The 29-year-old wore a knitted hat with a trench coat, jogging bottoms, a blue top and trainers
‘It feels like the board is getting narrower and narrower as you walk to the end. There's nothing wrong with being scared to get your heart going.
‘I guess you have to be a bit of an adrenaline junkie.
‘But that's the reason I love diving and keep getting back on the board.’
Star of the show: Tom Daley will be teaching the stars how to skate on his new show Splash!
Meanwhile on Thursday Jennifer flashed her pearly whites as she put her love woes with Sylvain Longchambon to one side and headed indoors for another pantomime performance of Cinderella.
Keeping her ombre locks under wraps, Jennifer wore a large knitted hat as she hid her eyes behind a pair of aviator styled sunglasses.
Holding a brief conversation on her phone, the Hollyoaks actress beamed as she showcased items from the casual department of her wardrobe.
Fear: Tom Daley revealed on This Morning that even he sometimes still gets scared when diving of the high board
Excited: The Olympic diver looked excited ahead of his programme even if Jennifer has pulled out
A khaki trench coat, navy top, grey jogging bottoms, a pair of trainers and a black handbag made up Metcalfe's dressed down look.
Jennifer was left devastated after her Dancing On Ice star boyfriend Sylvain Longchambon called time on their relationship.
Longchambon ended their relationship on Friday during a phone call, and reports claim he has 'developed feelings' for his new Dancing On Ice partner, Coronation Street actress Samia Ghadie.
Jennifer also met her ex when she was partnered with him on the show two years ago, and she was said to be 'in bits'.
Attending to business: The Hollyoaks actress was seen chatting away on her phone as she put her relationship woes to one side
How they were: Jennifer enjoyed a two year relationship with Sylvain following her stint on Dancing On Ice
But Samia, who split from ex Corrie co-star Will Thorp in December, has denied there is anything romantic going on between her and Sylvain.
A source close to Samia told the MailOnline: 'She isn't dating Sylvain and they haven't seen each other for three weeks. There has been no date, there is nothing going on between them.'
While talk of a relationship has been denied, a source close to the actress' former skater boyfriend say he has 'developed feelings' for new partner Samia, 30, and that Sylvain had been open with Jennifer about this.
Rumours: There's been speculation that Longchambon dumped Jennifer after 'developing feelings' for Samia
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2257146/Jennifer-Metcalfe-quits-Splash--revealed-feared-like-going-head-head-Samia.html#ixzz2H7fv88cq
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