Strictly crisis

One of the showÂ’s stars fractures their spine...

09:44 08 November 2011

Strictly Come Dancing has been plunged into crisis, as it emerged that one of the showÂ’s stars has fractured his spine.

Artem Chigvinstev, who is the professional partner of Holly Valance, has been diagnosed with a transverse process fracture of the lumbar spine.

The injury, which was initially diagnosed as a strained muscle, was sustained during rehearsals for last weekendÂ’s show.

Despite the immense pain caused, he and partner, former Neighbours star Valance, danced their way to a score of 34 out of 40.

A BBC source told the Daily Mail:

"At the moment, Artem is not dancing – but he is attending rehearsals and choreographing the new routine. He wants to dance, but his health is our priority. We have a duty of care to him."

Another insider added:

"Heaven knows how ArtemÂ’s going to dance on Saturday. This is a serious injury."

With Chigvinstev undergoing physiotherapy, the Australian actress is now training with the recently eliminated dancer Brendan Cole, who could perform the rumba with her this weekend.

In a statement issued last night, the BBC said:

"Artem injured himself during rehearsals on Friday. Following medical attention he has been diagnosed with a transverse process fracture of the lumbar spine.

"We have been told that this sort of fracture is completely stable and he has been advised that there is no untoward effect from him continuing to dance. We will, of course, continue to review this following medical advice over the course of the week."