Anneka Rice's Strictly debut in jeopardy after shoulder tear injury leaves her needing steroid injections and 'a miracle'

ANNEKA Rice's Strictly Come Dancing debut is in jeopardy after a shoulder tear injury left her needing steroid injections and 'a miracle'.

The 60-year-old TV star is the oldest celebrity taking part in this year's series.

Earlier this week, Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing was forced to withdraw from the show before it had even got underway after injuring his foot in rehearsals, and Anneka is hoping she doesn't have to go the same way.

Speaking to The Sun Online ahead of tonight's pre-recorded launch show, she said: "About six weeks ago, I fell in my neighbour's garden going down quite a slippery slope.

"It was after I had signed up and was all ready to go, but in the middle of my proper fitness training, so the last six weeks I have had to really rest it.

"I had steroid injections yesterday, and hopefully with a miracle, it will be fine."

Anneka will find out who her professional partner is on tonight's show, and hopes he will be patient with her and her injury.

She added: "When I'm doing my one on one, and I've got my partner, I'm sure we can sort it out."

But when asked how long it will be until her injury has fully healed, she replied: "I don't know, the steroid injection should help, it just so inflamed.

"It has got a small tear, and it is inflamed, but it is nothing so bad that I can't carry on.

"I'll be fine, it is just swollen."

To top it all off, the presenter – best known for her popular 90s TV show Challenge Anneka – is also covered in bruises from rehearsals.

She said: "I'm covered in bruises, and the lady [at the doctors] went 'are you all right?'

"I was literally covered, and that was literally from Anton [Du Beke] tossing me around like a bl***y rag doll."

The Strictly Come Dancing launch show airs at 7.10pm on BBC One tonight.

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