AJ Odudu 'gutted' as she pulls out of 'Strictly' tour due to injury

AJ Odudu has been forced to pull out of the Strictly tour because of her ongoing ankle injury.

The TV presenter had to withdraw from the final of the BBC ballroom contest after suffering ligament damage, but was due to go on the tour with her pro partner Kai Widdrington and other contestants.

However, she is still not able to perform so former contestant Maisie Smith will take her place.

Odudu told fans she is “gutted” about missing the shows.

Read more: AJ Odudu and Kai Widdrington cry over missing Strictly final

“Following medical advice, sadly I've had to withdraw from the @strictlycomedancinglive due to injury,” she wrote on Instagram.

“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?!

“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.”

The star also posted a video on the site, showing her injured leg still in a boot.

She said: "I’ve got to go from this moonboot into an ankle brace, into an orthopaedic... one of those insole things that you put in your shoes, and essentially I have to walk again before I can dance again and that’s going to be the next phase of this rehabilitation process."

Odudu said her ankle was moving in the right direction but that “any dancing is going to do it more harm than good” at this point.

“I’m sorry that I’m not going to be on tour," she said. "I’m gutted that I’m not dancing with Kai again. I’m sad that I’m not going to be reunited with all of my Strictly pals."

She urged fans to go along to the tour and said she would be in the audience herself “with bells on”.

Odudu had been due to take on John Whaite and eventual winner Rose Ayling-Ellis in the final of the 2021 series.

Former Bake Off winner Whaite said he was “heartbroken” that she was out of the tour now too.

“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO heartbroken for you and for all of us,” he posted on Instagram.

Odudu will be replaced by EastEnder Smith, who was a finalist in the 2020 series.

Read more: Strictly fans call for Rhys Stephenson to return for final

The actor said she was "so excited" to be a part of Strictly again.

Watch: Strictly's Kai Widdringtom addresses AJ Odudu romance rumours