DANCING On Ice duo Vanessa Bauer and Joe-Warren Plant will be forced to quarantine in a hotel for ten days after they both had to quit the series after testing positive for COVID-19.
The pair both received the results on Thursday night, meaning they were instantly eliminated from the competition.
Emmerdale star Joe, 18, and Vanessa, 24 — who ITV producers had tipped to win the show — were both said to be “devastated” last night after hearing the news.
A show source said: “There were a lot of tears on Thursday night when they got the news.
“They had travelled down from Blackpool, where they had been training, and took their routine test.
“Everyone was devastated when they both came back positive as they knew what it meant. Straight away they were out of the competition.
“Because they were at the rink when they tested positive, as part of the show’s protocol they were immediately taken to the hotel where they will remain by law.”
Producers were nervously hoping they had contained the spread of the virus, after the duo travelled down from Blackpool while seemingly infectious, and headed to the studio at Bovingdon Airfield, in Hertfordshire.
It also means the show is teetering on chaos, as producers have no more back-ups to rely on if any further celebrities or their partners fall sick.
The Celeb Report can also reveal that there will still be an elimination this weekend – despite the dwindling numbers.
West End star Denise Van Outen had to withdraw due to injury, Towie’s Billie Shepherd quit after a fall on the ice, and Rufus Hound was booted after testing positive for coronavirus.
The results are a particular headache for ITV bosses, who had hoped the duo would go all the way to the final and potentially win.
The insider said: “They’ve made a rod for their own backs in many ways. Updating the rules means one strike and you’re out, whereas earlier in the competition they’d have been allowed to stay.
“They’ve got no one to fall back on now after Amy Tinkler and Matt Richardson both got their call-ups.
“Any more positive cases and they’re in a world of pain.”
Joe-Warren said in a statement: “Having tested positive for COVID this now means the end of the competition for Vanessa and I.
“I have loved every minute of being a part of ‘Dancing On Ice’ and I am disappointed as I feel I had so much more to give and was working hard to perfect each performance.
“Thank you so much to Vanessa for being a fantastic teacher and although it’s been cut short, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this experience.
“Thank you to all the crew who have been brilliant and especially thanks to the other cast members, they have been hugely supportive and I wish them all the very best.”
Vanessa admitted she feels “proud and devastated” after their early exit, and described the 18-year-old star as the “hardest working partner” she’s been teamed with on the show.
She added: “Unfortunately, we have received positive test results for COVID which means we cannot continue to compete this year.
“Joe-Warren has been growing every week into such a talented skater and I’m so sad we won’t be able to show more of the great routines we had planned.
“I am beyond proud and devastated, as we had so much more to show, he was the hardest working partner I’ve ever had.”
Meanwhile, an ITV spokeswomen praised the duo for their efforts on the show.
They commented: “We can confirm that following positive COVID tests, Joe-Warren Plant and Vanessa Bauer have had to withdraw from this year’s competition.
“They’ve been wonderful on the show this year and we thank them for all their dedication and beautiful performances.”
