Sally Nugent suffers rib injury during Strictly Come Dancing training

Sally Nugent, presenter of BBC Breakfast, sustains rib injury while preparing for Strictly special

Sally Nugent, the popular BBC Breakfast host, has suffered a brutal rib injury while training for the Christmas special of Strictly Come Dancing. The 52-year-old star had previously announced her participation in this year's festive episode.

The Christmas Day episode of Strictly has already aired, and Sally had taken a week off from her regular duties on the red sofa to focus on training. The presenter has now revealed the toll the experience has taken on her, describing herself as "battered and bruised" and confirming the rib injury.

During an interview on BBC Breakfast, Sally likened the training process to a "Strictly boot camp" and assured viewers that she was doing fine despite the physical challenges. Her co-host, Jon Kay, chimed in to confirm that she was indeed "battered and bruised." Sally later mentioned that she believed her injury to be a "traditional sour rib injury."

When asked if the rib had healed, Sally admitted that it hadn't fully recovered yet, urging everyone not to make her laugh as it caused too much pain. This rib injury is reminiscent of soap star Nigel Harman's experience, as he was also forced to withdraw from this year's regular series of Strictly due to a rib injury.

Nigel Harman, known for his role in Casualty, had been partnered with Katya Jones for the competition on the BBC. In an emotional statement about his early departure, he explained that he hurt his rib while leaping off a rostrum and was subsequently taken to the A&E. Despite the pain, he expressed that he was still enjoying himself, albeit while being high on painkillers.

BBC Breakfast airs daily from 6am on BBC One and iPlayer.