Meet Jason Donovan, Dancing on Ice 2021 contestant and singer
The former Neighbours star has been forced to withdraw from the show due to back problems.
Jason Donovan was proving to be a fan favourite on ITV's Dancing on Ice, but his hopes of reaching the final were dashed when he began suffering with back pain.
Initially he was given a bye, and producers hoped he would have recovered sufficiently to make it back to the ice. However he has now been forced to withdraw from the competition, as his back hasn't healed enough for him to start skating again.
"At the advice of the medical team on the show I have to withdraw," he said on a video on his Facebook page. "It’s a nightmare, I’m completely gutted, we put so much work into getting to this point but I have to respect my healthy and my body, that’s my biggest priority."
The Dancing on Ice 2021 line-up has seen a number of changes throughout the series so far, with Rufus Hound and Joe-Warren Plant withdrawing after contracting coronavirus, while Denise Van Outen and Billie Shepherd pulled out due to injury.
Here's everything you need to know about Jason.
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Who is Dancing on Ice contestant Jason Donovan?
Age: 52
Instagram: @jdonofficial
Twitter: @JDonOfficial
Job: Actor and singer
Jason Donovan launched his career on Aussie soap Neighbours playing Scott Robinson, who fell in love and married Kylie Minogue's Charlene Mitchell. He left the series in 1988 to start his pop career, with his debut album Ten Good Reasons becoming the highest-selling album in the UK in 1989. He has had four UK number one singles, including the romantic classic with Kylie, Especially for You.
Jason is also a star of the stage, following his hit lead performance in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat in the 1990s. He took part on I'm a Celebrity in 2006, finishing in 3rd place, and competed on the ninth series of Strictly Come Dancing with former dance Kristina Rhianoff. He also has his own radio show on Heart FM.
What has Jason Donovan scored so far?
Jason was in the daunting position of taking to the ice for his solo dance first and he came out of it well with a score of 25/40. Jason and pro partner Alex Schauman landed at the bottom of the leaderboard with 22 points from the judges after performing to Don't Leave Me This Way for musical week in Week Three, and followed that up with a score of 26.5 in Week Four – which was only just enough to lift them off the bottom of the leaderboard, finishing in second last place but avoiding the dance-off once again.
Donovan missed Week Five due to back pain, with the show's medical experts advising he take a break. He was later forced to withdraw from the competition.
What has Jason Donovan said about joining Dancing on Ice?
Jason confirmed the news on This Morning to hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield back in September, saying: "I've always been a big fan of winter sports, whether it's ski-ing, skating, snowboarding...après ski-ing. My daughter Molly is very excited about me doing shapes on the dance- floor or maybe not...depending on how it goes! And also the opportunity to spend a Sunday night with you guys."
He added: "Skating is all about balance and confidence. I’ve done a little bit of skating in my youth, in Australia surprisingly in the heat of an Australian summer. I’ve surfed, I’ve skied a lot so I guess I’ll bring a little bit of that confidence."
Alongside his promo picture on Instagram, he posted the caption: Time to get focussed on my footwork and deliver some shapes that even my 9 year old daughter can be proud of ! I can’t wait to get on the ice, have some fun and bring a big smile to everyone’s face in 2021!"
Dancing on Ice continues on ITV on Sunday 28th February at 6pm. Find out who else is taking part with our Dancing on Ice 2021 line-up guide. If you’re looking for something to watch tonight, check out our TV Guide.
