AJ Odudu has been forced to pull out of the 'Strictly Come Dancing' live tour due to injury - and she has been replaced by Maisie Smith.
AJ Odudu is out of the Strictly tour due to injury
The 33-year-old TV presenter had to withdraw from the BBC Latin and ballroom show's final last month after she suffered ankle ligament damage during training with her professional partner Kai Widdrington, and the injury has put paid to her taking part in the run of live shows this year.
She wrote on Instagram: "Following medical advice, sadly I've had to withdraw from the @strictlycomedancinglive due to injury.
"I had hoped for one last dance with @kaiwidd & we were both so looking forward to finally showing you our (unseen) show dance, but it turns out I can't go straight from wearing a medical moonboot to performing in 37 shows in 3 inch heels. Who knew?! (sic)"
But AJ revealed Kai will still be taking part.
She added: "The good news is, Kai and the rest of my Strictly fam will be setting the stage on fire and and I can't wait to go cheer them all on. (sic)"
Former 'Strictly' finalist and ex-'EastEnders' actress Maisie Smith will partner Kai on the tour after AJ pulled out.
She said: "I’m thrilled to be asked to restart my 'Strictly' journey on this year’s arena tour.
"Kai and I will be dancing the quickstep and the samba - I can’t wait for rehearsals to start next week. It will be a joy to dance with everyone and so great to see my 'EastEnders' friend Rose again. I wish AJ a speedy recovery."
Last year's 'Strictly' winners, 'EastEnders' actor Rose Ayling-Ellis and her pro partner Giovanni Pernice will also be part of the live shows, as will Sara Davies and Aljaz Skorjanec, Tilly Ramsay and Nikita Kuzmin, Rhys Stephenson and Nancy Xu, John Whaite and Johannes Radebe, and Max George and Katya Jones.
Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and the returning Bruno Tonioli will make up the judging panel on the tour, which will be hosted by 'Strictly - It Takes Two' presenter Janette Manrara.
The tour will kick off in Birmingham on January 20th, and will conclude at London's The O2 on February 13th.
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