Louis Smith is unlikely to return to competitive gymnastics until next year, if at all, according to Olympic bronze medal-winning team-mate Kristian Thomas.
Smith, who won pommel horse silver and team bronze at London 2012, has taken time out to take part and win BBC's Strictly Come Dancing.
Smith is on the dancing show's spin-off tour until mid-February, and due to the gruelling schedule needed to stay at the top, Thomas does not expect to see Smith in competition until next year, if he does return.
"If I was to have three or four months off it would take me a year to get back to the standard required of me to compete at the highest level," said Thomas. "I'm sure if he does make a comeback it will be 2014 before we see him."
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies