Dancing on Ice: Joe-Warren Plant and Vanessa Bauer pull out of series after positive coronavirus test

Departure comes days after Rufus Hound also had to drop out of the series due to Covid-19

Dancing on Ice stars Joe-Warren Plant and Vanessa Bauer have pulled out of the series after Plant tested positive for coronavirus.

Plant, who is best known for his role as Jacob Gallagher in Emmerdale, said he was “disappointed” by the result.

“Having tested positive for Covid this now means the end of the competition for Vanessa and I,” Plant said in a statement. “I have loved every minute of being a part of Dancing on Ice and I am disappointed as I feel I had so much more to give and was working hard to perfect each performance.”

Plant thanked Bauer for serving as his partner on the series and “being a fantastic teacher”.

“Although it’s been cut short, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed this experience,” Plant added. “Thank you to all the crew who have been brilliant and especially thanks to the other cast members, they have been hugely supportive and I wish them all the very best.”

Read more:Dancing on Ice: Rufus Hound forced to drop out of competition after testing positive for coronavirus

In her own statement, Bauer said: “Joe-Warren has been growing every week into such a talented skater and I’m so sad we won’t be able to show more of the great routines we had planned.

“I am beyond proud and devastated, as we had so much more to show, he was the hardest working partner I’ve ever had.”

Plant is the second celebrity cast member from this series of Dancing on Ice to depart the show after testing positive for coronavirus.

Dancing on Ice stars Joe-Warren Plant and Vanessa Bauer (ITV)

Comedian Rufus Hound announced earlier this month that he had to leave the show due to Covid. He was subsequently replaced by Matt Richardson.

Denise Van Outen and Billie Faiers also had to pull out of the show for non-coronavirus reasons, having both sustained injuries while training for the programme.

Dancing on Ice continues on Sundays at 6pm on ITV.