Christopher Dean of Dancing On Ice has explained how he shattered his finger, explaining that he was not hurt on the ice this time.
While the show has left several candidates with serious injuries as they prepare for the forthcoming season, the retired Olympic figure skater, who now serves as a judge on the show alongside his skating partner Jayne Torvill, is now wrapped up himself.
After he shared a photo of his broken finger on Twitter yesterday, the 64-year-old went on to explain: ‘We were trying the Iron Lotus, but ended up doing a Half Nelson. Or did I just fall over a suitcase in the middle of the night.’
When he appeared on Good Morning Britain on Friday, he first maintained the farce, saying he injured himself while attempting a fake technique from the 2007 skating comedy film Blades of Glory, before finally explaining what had happened.
‘It was the Iron [Lotus] from Blades of Glory. But no, it was a darkened room. I just fell over in the dark,’ he said.
‘Not safe off the ice I’m afraid,’ he added.
Jayne then clarified that she had nothing to do with it and that he hadn’t told her about it for a few days.
‘I think he was annoyed with himself,’ she remarked.
The pair said the injury meant they had to reconsider routines they’d been practising for the upcoming series, meaning that they’re now working with what he labelled ‘a three-fingered affair’.
‘At first, I was afraid like if I grabbed his hand, because we’re always holding hands, I didn’t want to hurt it anymore. But he’s got a splint,’ Jayne added.
She did, however, say that she was in a similar situation last year after breaking her wrist when she slipped and put her palm down on the ice, something she strongly advised people not to do.
The couple, who won a gold medal at the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, will be on the season 15 judging panel alongside Diversity dancer Ashley Banjo and former Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer Oti Mabuse.
Former Liberty X singer Michelle Heaton, drag queen and TV personality The Vivienne, The Wanted frontman Siva Kaneswaran, Love Island winner Ekin-Su Culculoglu, and Towie’s Joey Essex are among the contestants this season.
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays at 6am on ITV. Dancing On Ice begins on Sunday at 6.30pm on ITV1.