Dancing on Ice* fans were met with an emotional announcement during 

the latest episode of the long-running ITV show as it was confirmed that professional skater Vanessa Bauer would be forced to withdraw from the competition due to a severe injury. 

The 28-year-old had been paired with Love Island star Chris Taylor for the 2025 season of the popular winter sports reality series, which is now in its 17th year. 

However, just four weeks into the competition, Vanessa’s time on the ice was tragically cut short.

Vanessa’s departure from *Dancing on Ice* was a significant blow not just to her, but to the viewers who had been captivated by the duo’s performances. 

The pair had developed a strong connection, and their chemistry on the ice had been evident, with both the judges and audience showing their appreciation for their routines. 

Despite this, the professional skater was forced to pull out after suffering a devastating backstage injury. 

The injury occurred just days before a live performance, with Vanessa revealing in a tearful Instagram video that she had torn a ligament during a rehearsal. “I’m here today with rather upsetting news,” she shared with her followers. “I am unfortunately not going to be able to continue on *Dancing on Ice* with Chris.” The news was hard for both her and Chris, as Vanessa had been coaching him since October of the previous year. “It is always such an amazing achievement for myself to see someone else progress so much in a skill they’ve never done before,” she said, reflecting on the rewarding journey she’d had with her celebrity partner.

Vanessa’s emotional post revealed the extent of the injury she had sustained. “I had a little accident backstage last week on *Dancing on Ice* just before the live show on Sunday,” she explained. Although she initially didn’t realize how serious the injury was, an MRI scan later revealed that she had suffered a torn ligament, along with a grade-three sprain and a major grade-two sprain. Doctors advised her not to continue skating, as the injury could worsen without proper care.

Despite the intense pain, Vanessa had continued to skate in the days leading up to the announcement, showing incredible dedication to her craft. “I’ve been skating this whole week with a lot of pain but didn’t realize it was that significant,” she admitted. “I don’t trust my pain threshold,” she continued, “but it just goes to show that you should listen to your body and tune in to it.” With medical advice in mind, Vanessa made the difficult decision to step away from the competition in order to avoid further damage and to focus on her recovery.

The decision to leave *Dancing on Ice* was not an easy one for the skilled skater, as she expressed how deeply it affected her both physically and mentally. “I don’t want this injury to get worse, so the sensible decision is to step away, do rehab, and focus on my health,” Vanessa stated, acknowledging the mental toll the injury had also taken. “It’s really bad that I have to leave, but I’m excited to get better and get back to skating properly every single day.” 

On Sunday’s episode of *Dancing on Ice*, show hosts Holly Willoughby and Stephen Mulhern addressed Vanessa’s absence, informing viewers that Robin Johnstone would be stepping in to skate with Chris Taylor for the night’s performance. “Sadly, she’s had to withdraw from the competition due to injury,” Stephen said, before expressing gratitude to Robin for stepping in at the last minute. This sudden change left fans with mixed emotions, as many had been rooting for Chris and Vanessa to go far in the competition.

Vanessa’s departure marks another injury-related exit for the show, which has seen several contestants and professionals sidelined over the years due to the physically demanding nature of the sport. However, despite the setback, Vanessa’s message to fans was one of gratitude and resilience. “Thank you so much for your support this season and over the past 8 years,” she wrote in a caption accompanying her Instagram video.

While Vanessa’s exit is undoubtedly heartbreaking for both her and her fans, her health and recovery are the top priority. As she focuses on her rehabilitation, many are hopeful that she will make a full recovery and return to skating in the future. For now, her fans are sending her their best wishes and looking forward to seeing what she accomplishes in the years to come, both on and off the ice.

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