Strictly Come Dancing star La Voix, who is paired with partner Aljaž Škorjanec, ‘hopes’ to be back on Saturday November 29 after pulling out of this weekend’s live shows due to an injury.
On Tuesday it was announced the 45-year-old drag star had been advised by doctors to rest, meaning the duo would not be able to perform at the famous Blackpool Tower Ballroom this weekend.
Speaking on It Takes Two this evening, La Voix – real name Chris Dennis – explained: ‘This has been ongoing since the foxtrot. I felt a little niggle in my foot hence comments about me being flat-footed. I was thinking this will be fine, but it got gradually worse…
‘Until on Saturday we had to change shoes, I couldn’t wear heels. I had to wear those awful flat shoes.
‘We tried on Monday and it was really clear I was struggling in pain so we decided to be professional and call this, hoping with some rest I can be back.’
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As per Strictly rules, the pair will automatically go through to the following week.
When asked by presenter Janette Manrara whether they will be back after the Blackpool weekend, La Voix replied: ‘I hope so. Some people have said online that it’s just because I wanted to get out of doing the samba. I was desperate to get to Blackpool and do the samba. The production that was planned is going to be incredible.’
Meanwhile, La Voix called Strictly a ‘happy place’, adding: ‘I am really hoping it continues.’
In a statement released by the BBC this week, La Voix said: ‘My heart truly breaks knowing I won’t be dancing in such an iconic venue.’
She continued: ‘I am devastated not to be joining the rest of the cast on that famous dancefloor, but my focus now is on recovery.
‘I’ll be cheering on all the amazing couples this weekend.’
La Voix, who is best known as the series 6 RuPaul’s Drag Race UK runner-up, spoke directly to her ‘darlings’ on Instagram.
‘As many of you know, I injured my foot last week,’ she began.
‘With the help of an incredible team—and a whole lot of sparkles and determination—I was able to keep going and perform.’
But La Voix, who is putting her glam Drag Race experience to good use in the ballroom, said this time she would have to ‘listen to her body’ after ‘it became clear that the injury wasn’t improving’.
‘I’ll be back on that stage as soon as I’m able—louder, brighter, and sassier than ever’, she added.
The dancing duo had worked ‘incredibly hard’ according to La Voix, who said: ‘We were so excited to share our routine with everyone.’
The Strictly spokesperson said: ‘In line with the rules of Strictly Come Dancing, La Voix and Aljaž will receive a bye through to next week when it is hoped they will be able to dance again.
‘We wish La Voix the very best for a speedy recovery.’
Born Chris Dennis in Stockton-on-Tees, La Voix studied drama at Brunel University, before training in musical theatre, having found her talent of performing at school.
Chris debuted in drag at Soho’s famed Madam Jojo’s, and reached the semi-finals of Britain’s Got Talent as a lead vocalist with The London Gay Big Band.
Elsewhere, she’s appeared in Jennifer Saunders and Joanna Lumley’s Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie and she came fourth on Graham Norton’s Queen of the Universe before her DragRace UK stint, which launched her to new levels of recognition.
Strictly Come Dancing returns on BBC One this Saturday at 6.35pm. It Takes Two airs weekdays at 6.30pm on BBC Two.
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