Actor Robert Webb has decided to leave Strictly Come Dancing after revealing his health is getting in the way of the show.
The Peep Show star had major heart surgery two years ago and said that the series was taking a toll on this aspect of his health.
Partnered with Strictly professional dancer Dianne Buswell, the pair had made it to week three before he announced his decision to call it quits.
He said in a statement on Wednesday: "I'm extremely sorry to have to announce that I'm withdrawing from Strictly Come Dancing due to ill health.
https://twitter.com/bbcstrictly/status/1448340747577667587
"Two years ago I had open heart surgery and although I believed I was fit enough to take on Strictly and its demanding schedule, it became clear that I had bitten off way more than I could chew for this stage in my recovery.
"I had begun to feel symptoms that led me to seek an urgent consultation with my heart specialist, and it was her view that it would be better for the sake of my health to step back from the show."
Revealing how proud he was of the three dances he pulled off with Dianne, he does "deeply regret having to let her down like this".
He continued: "I couldn't have wished for a more talented partner or more patient teacher, and it's a measure of Dianne's professionalism and kindness that I was able to get as far as I did.
"Thanks too to everyone at home who voted for us. It was always going to be a difficult mountain to climb (for one thing it's made of glitter so it's very skiddy) and I've been especially touched by the support from fellow heart patients.
"I think perhaps I was too eager to impress them. They will know that recovery doesn't always go in a straight line, and I hope they're not too disappointed that I ran into the limits of my resilience much sooner than I'd hoped.
"I leave knowing that Strictly viewers are in very safe hands and I'll be cheering for my brother and sister contestants all the way to Christmas. Despite this sad ending, it has been a genuine honour to be part of this huge, joyful and barking mad TV show. Long may it continue."
The pair will definitely be missed on the series, Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One on Saturday at 7:00pm.
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