Matt Richardson will replace Rufus Hound on ‘Dancing on Ice’.
Matt Richardson
The 29-year-old comedian will be taking to the ice on Sunday (07.02.21) to replace his fellow funny man after Rufus was forced to quit the ITV ice dancing competition following a positive COVID-19 test.
Matt will be paired with Vicky Ogden, and will skate for the first time this weekend, the official Twitter account for the show has confirmed.
A tweet read: “With the departure of Rufus Hound and Robin Johnstone, comedian @MattRichardson3 and his pro-skater partner @vickyogden1 will be joining the line up from this weekend #DancingOnIce (sic)”
The news comes after Rufus, 41, was kicked from the show on Wednesday (03.02.21) when he tested positive for COVID-19.
He had already missed two weeks of the competition after coming in to contact with someone who was carrying the virus and having to self-isolate, but at the end of his mandatory quarantine period, he tested positive himself.
Rufus confirmed the news, tweeting: "I will no longer be participating in @dancingonice COVID is - as I'm sure we're all well aware - a b****** and sadly the world isn't short of those. (sic)”
He then explained in a video clip: "Having come into contact with someone with Covid and isolating it transpired I have Covid.
"Unfortunately the rules on Dancing On Ice are cut and dry - very strict."
Meanwhile, Matt won’t be the only newcomer to the ice, as last week saw Olympic gymnast Amy Tinkler skate for the first time after she was brought in to replace Denise Van Outen, who was forced to quit following a shoulder injury.
‘Dancing on Ice’ is set to air on Sunday (07.02.21) on ITV.
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