Greg Wise speaks out on Strictly co-star’s ‘brave’ exit: ‘I have to stop now’
Strictly: Greg Wise says Robert Webb was 'brave' to pull out
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Strictly Come Dancing celeb Greg Wise is still in the running to lift the Glitterball Trophy with partner Karen Hauer but this series has already seen a number of surprises. After his co-star Robert Webb’s surprising exit from the show, Wise and Hauer joined Lorraine Kelly on ITV on Thursday morning to support the comedy actor’s decision.
Wise called Webb’s departure from the series “brave” after the celebrity admitted he had “bitten off way more than he could chew”.
The star released a statement on Wednesday evening explaining he was beginning to feel symptoms two years into his recovery from open heart surgery.
His fellow dancers have supported his decision, including Wise who revealed he had been in contact with the actor during Thursday’s edition of Lorraine.
He told the presenter: “Bless him. I wrote to him yesterday evening after he sent us this lovely note.”
Giving some insight into his message, he revealed: “I said you are brave twice.
“So brave to have done this in the first place. And doubly brave actually to say I have to stop now.”
He said of his decision: “That takes immense courage.”
Kelly replied: “You are absolutely right, and of course we wish him all the best.”
Webb last appeared on the show’s traditional Movie Week event dancing a Quickstep with partner Dianne Buswell.
Dressed as Kermit and Miss Piggy, the couple scored 25 from the judges and would have remained in the competition this Saturday.
Unfortunately, the show will be one pair short in Week Four, which will also feature a special guest appearance from Westlife.
Webb had become a fan-favourite since entering the competition, though his exaggerated facial expressions during his dancing proved divisive.
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His official statement reads: “I’m extremely sorry to have to announce that I’m withdrawing from Strictly Come Dancing due to ill health.
“Two years ago I had open heart surgery and although I believed I was fit enough to take on Strictly and its demanding schedule, it became clear that I had bitten off way more than I could chew for this stage in my recovery.
“I had begun to feel symptoms that led me to seek an urgent consultation with my heart specialist, and it was her view that it would be better for the sake of my health to step back from the show.”
Kelly was also unsure if anyone would be eliminated this coming Sunday amid Webb’s departure.
Some fans of the show have been calling for fellow celebs Nina Wadia or Katie McGlynn to return after they were knocked out in previous weeks.
Unfortunately, the show has never made a last-minute replacement after a surprise withdrawal so series 19 will be one couple short going forward.
Of course, this could give the remaining dancers a much better chance of taking the coveted Glitterball Trophy home by the time they reach the final.
Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday, September 16 on BBC One.
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