The Strictly Come Dancing star was forced to withdraw from the competition early after a devastating injury.
07:44, 11 Dec 2025
Stefan Dennis was forced to pull out of Strictly this year (Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire )
Strictly Come Dancing star Stefan Dennis has revealed he was battling his injury with painkillers during his final performance on the BBC One competition.
The Neighbours actor was forced to withdraw early from the competition this year, after being partnered with Dianne Buswell.
Dianne, who lifted the glitterball trophy last year with comedian Chris McCausland, had been making history on the show as the first pregnant dancer performing.
Following their early exit, the pair revealed how gutted they were to have to back out after Stefan’s injury.
He’s now opened up about their experience, revealing he was “dosed up to the eyeballs” on painkillers.
Stefan appeared on Good Morning Britain today (Image: ITV)READ MORE: Alex Jones pauses BBC The One Show to pay tribute to ‘loved’ star after tragic deathREAD MORE: Strictly’s Amber Davies says ‘this week has been tougher than usual’ in message to fans
During an appearance on Good Morning Britain today (Thursday 11 December), ahead of his last ever appearance as Paul Robinson on Neighbours’ final episode, Stefan spoke to hosts Kate Garraway and Richard Madeley.
He explained: “I tore my calf muscle very, very badly during rehearsal. When you see me doing that dance, I’m dosed up to the eyeballs on painkillers when I was doing that.”
Stefan was warned by doctors that he would suffer “irreparable” damage if he continued dancing, which came at a particularly heartbreaking time as he admitted that he had finally “got” the dance.
“The problem was, by the time I did the Charlston, I’d got it… I was petrified up until that point,” he said, highlighting that his “sensational” partner Dianne had seen the “transition” in him.
Fans were gutted when Stefan was devastatingly forced to quit after a calf injury (Image: BBC)
Stefan became the third star who had to quit Strictly this series, after Kristian Nairn and Dani Dyer, who left on medical advice before the live shows began and were replaced by Lewis Cope and Amber Davies, respectively. La Voix also later pulled out after missing Blackpool Week.
It Takes Two host Fleur East revealed Stefan’s exit on the Strictly spin-off show, reading a statement: “This Morning, I woke up to the most disappointing day of my time in my Strictly journey.
“Just when I had finally gained the confidence to do well with my dancing in the comp and achieve more great dances along the way, I was told that on Saturday, I had torn my calf so significantly that I am now forced to withdraw from the show.
The Aussie actor was partnered with Dianne Buswell this series (Image: BBC/Guy Levy)
“I can’t tell you how devastated I am to have to leave so prematurely, especially, as there has been, and still is, so much love and support from everyone for both Dianne and myself.
“I owe both the Strictly Family and Dianne a massive debt of gratitude for giving me the opportunity to fulfil my dream of being able to dance with my wife (When my leg is better).
“Fun fact for all the avid Neighbours fans… It’s the same leg!”
Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1 and ITVX. Strictly Come Dancing is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
