Strictly Come Dancing's AJ Odudu drops out of tour and is replaced by Maisie Smith after nasty injury
STRICTLY'S AJ Odudu has dropped out of the upcoming show arena tour after her nasty ankle injury and has been replaced by Maisie Smith.
Former EastEnders star Maisie has plenty of experience on the dance floor having finished as runner-up in 2019, and she will now team up with AJ's partner Kai Widdrington.
She said: ”I’m thrilled to be asked to restart my Strictly journey on this year’s arena tour.
"Kai and I will be dancing the Quickstep and the Samba – I can’t wait for rehearsals to start next week. It will be a joy to dance with everyone and so great to see my EastEnders friend Rose again. I wish AJ a speedy recovery.”
While a gutted AJ said: “I’m devastated not to be able to take part in the Strictly tour due to injury. I had hoped for one last dance with Kai, but I must obviously follow the medical advice. I wish my Strictly family the very best of luck on the road and I’ll definitely be there to cheer them on."
It's been painful end to her Strictly journey, with ligament damage forcing her out of the final with just a day's notice.
She put on a brave face in a sequin frock and cheered on her co-stars John Whaite and Rose Ayling-Ellis as they went head to head.
However, she broke down in tears and spoke of her heartbreak in an interview mid-show with host Claudia Winkleman.
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When they weren't wowing on the dance floor AJ and Kai were setting tongues wagging with their electric chemistry.
Viewers were desperate for them to become an item and even AJ's young nephew asked why they hadn't kissed.
Maisie said goodbye to her role as Tiffany Butcher last month after 13 years.
She recently told The Sun she always feels pressure to look great, revealing she's experienced "a lot of body image hatred".
Maisie and Kai will join Strictly 2021 winners Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice as well as Sara Davies and Aljaž Skorjanec, Tilly Ramsay and Nikita Kuzmin, Rhys Stephenson and Nancy Xu, John Whaite and Johannes Radebe, and Max George and Katya Jones.
In addition tothe couples’ dances, fans will see some breathtaking group performances throughout the show.
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Professional dancers Nadiya Bychkova, Amy Dowden, Neil Jones, Jake Leigh, Cameron Lombard, Luba Mushtuk and Jowita Przystal will alldazzle on the dance floor and live music is coming from the Strictly singers and band.
Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli will star on the judging panel and former Strictly pro Janette Manrara is hosting.
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