Dancing On Ice pro Hamish Gaman admits he’s ‘heartbroken’ not to be skating with Faye Brookes

Hamish Gaman has admitted he feels ‘heartbroken’ about having to pull out of Dancing On Ice.

Taking to Insgaram on Thursday night, he shared videos with his partner Faye Brookes, teasing what would have been in store had his injury not forced him to bow out.

‘Hi everyone I’m heartbroken that I’ll no longer be skating with @faye_brookes on @dancingonice,’ he penned. ‘I’m so grateful that I don’t need any surgery on my finger, but if I stay in the show I could have an accident and make my injury much worse (it is series 13).

‘Coaching Faye for 4+ months has been a privilege and I’m so proud of the incredible skater that she’s become.

‘I remember her being scared of skating backwards and wondering if she’d ever be able to do a 3-turn or backward crossover. Faye, you’ve come so far and achieved so much.

‘The first two videos are the lifts that Faye and I were going to do in our next routine. Our song choice was ‘Into the Unknown’ from Frozen 2 Faye and I were so excited to skate to this song together.

‘I can’t wait for the pubs to finally reopen so that Faye, @iamjustjoe, @ameliaskating, and I can all go for a pint. Faye, your friendship and support means the world to me. Thank you for everything #dancingonice.’

This comes as Faye posted a snap with her replacement pro Matt Evers.

‘Week one with my new pro. The next chapter of my journey has officially begun and I’m so excited to show you our moves! Another day complete .Another challenge accepted. And a whole new routine ❄️’

This comes after it was reported Hamish quit Dancing On Ice following a tense meeting with execs.

A source has now claimed that Hamish’s exit came after he and Faye had a conversation with producers about their next routine, alleging she was concerned the routine would be ‘too simplistic’ and leave them at risk of elimination.  

A production source told The Sun: ‘Faye wants to win at all costs and has been concerned that the judges have been quite critical of her and Hamish.’

They continued that both Faye and Hamish went to see show bosses to ‘express their concern over the routine’, which was ‘taking into account Hamish’s injury’ and set to be based on the 1990 film Pretty Woman.

‘Faye, in particular, felt it [the routine] would be too simplistic, they’d get low marks and she would be at risk of elimination. 

‘But, after the meeting, the cogs clearly whirred into action because less than a day later Hamish was gone,’ the source claimed.

MailOnline has contacted Faye’s representatives for a comment. Dancing On Ice declined to comment.  

It comes after Faye tried to look on the bright side of having to change pro skaters halfway through the competition. 

Taking to Instagram, Faye posted: ‘Round Two. No matter what… Pick yourself up, dust yourself off and start again! Here we go! ✨

‘It’s not the end of my journey it’s just a change of direction… I had the honour of being taught how to skate by the one and only @hamishgaman and with all the skills & knowledge that he so kindly gave to me I now get to begin a whole new chapter with @themattevers ✨⛸ Who’s Ready? @dancingonice #dancingonice [sic]’

Hamish, 37, quit the ‘cursed’ series after his hand injury was caused by him ‘putting on a sock’. 

An ITV spokesperson told MailOnline on Tuesday: ‘Sadly we can confirm that Hamish Gaman, who has been partnered with Faye Brookes, has had to withdraw from the competition. 

‘We thank him for all his hard work and wish him the very best as he takes some time out to allow his injury to fully heal.’ 

On Monday, Faye took to Instagram to express her heartbreak at losing her skating partner shortly after the news was announced.

She wrote: ‘Truly heartbroken with the news that @hamishgaman has had to withdraw from @dancingonice

‘This guy has been there for me from the very beginning. Taught me everything I know and I hope I did you proud brother…

‘It has been an honour. You are honestly an incredible human but also an incredible friend.

‘We both can’t thank the viewers at home enough for your constant support and for voting for Team #Faymish

‘Last but not least I have to Thank you Mr Gaman for supporting me no matter what! Here’s to a friendship that will go beyond the ice.

‘Here for you always. Faye x.’  

Hamish was signed off on Sunday by the medical team as safe to skate with some adjustments to the routine.

But after a follow up examination this week and careful consideration the medical experts have concluded that he is unable to continue.

A source told MailOnline: ‘It is essential for Hamish to have this time to heal properly in the interest of safeguarding against any long-term damage.’  

Hamish had previously revealed that he performed alongside the Coronation Street star during Sunday’s show with a strapped-up hand and had been told by doctors that he was putting his finger at risk for the rest of his life.

He added that if he had to have surgery, we would have quit the show and explained how he ploughed on because he didn’t want to let people down in the wake of the recent drop-outs. 

He said on Monday: ‘Unfortunately I’m in a situation where I may have to withdraw if I need surgery. I would be heartbroken, Faye has worked so hard.’ 

Discussing his injury further, he said: ‘Faye wasn’t fully aware but I snapped a tendon in my hand and I was advised before the show that I’m putting my finger at risk for the rest of my life here.

‘It’s one of those scenarios where there was a lot of people dropping out of the show and I love this show so much and I didn’t want to let the team down.’

The skater went on to describe how his and Faye’s Prince William and Kate Middleton inspired routine was changed at the last minute so as not to cause further pain to his hand.

He said: ‘They strapped up my hand so I could get through the show. We had to make a lot of changes to the routine last minute, we re-choreographed the whole second half.

‘Faye did incredible to learn the routine last minute. We had to change all of our lifts because of my hand, as I couldn’t do certain movements.’

He added: ‘It’s never easy for someone to learn new choreography and it is very dangerous to do things that aren’t ready anyway, but then to suddenly make these huge changes last minute, Faye did so well.’

Hamish later declared that he would not need surgery and will feature in the line-up when the show returns to screens on February 28th. He said this prior to Tuesday’s announcement.

Quoting a tweet about his interview, Hamish tweeted: ‘Update! I’ve been told that I don’t need surgery on my finger. I’ll just be sporting a bling splint for a few weeks. I can’t wait to return to @dancingonice with @Faye_Brookes on 28th Feb #DancingOnIce’.

The news comes after an announcement by ITV that their skating show has taken a week off to allow the cast and crew to ‘recharge and rest up’ after four stars dropped out and Jason Donovan, 52, injured his back. 

In a statement from an ITV spokesperson, it was revealed that show bosses felt it ‘prudent to take a week’s break at this juncture’ to protect ‘the welfare of all of those involved’.

‘ITV have taken the decision to pause Dancing on Ice this week and there will be no live show on Sunday 21st February,’ ITV said. ‘Each week our production team and cast have delivered a fantastic show during incredibly challenging times.

‘The welfare of all of those involved is important to us and we felt it prudent to take a week’s break at this juncture.

‘Continuing to make the best TV for our viewers is of paramount importance to us and we look forward to resuming the competition next week, with the show back live on Sunday 28th February.

‘In place of Dancing On Ice this weekend a special entitled Dancing On Ice: The Greatest Show On Ice will be shown on ITV at 6pm on Sunday. This one-off show will celebrate the most memorable moments in the show’s history.

‘Dancing On Ice will be back, live on Sunday 28th February.’ 

In addition to the official announcement, a source told The Sun: ‘Everyone’s just been working really hard to put on a brilliant series. 

‘The production team has been amazing working around new protocols and working around the pandemic which is ever-evolving with new variants and such. 

‘This break will just allow the cast and crew the time to take a breath. Everyone gives it their all and just wants the show to be amazing for viewers at home so a week to recharge and rest up before coming back will be great.’  

The decision comes after Dancing On Ice bosses were said to be ‘panicking’ about the show’s future amid the four celebrities withdrawing from the show in recent weeks and Jason’s recent injury.

Former Neighbours star Jason said in a statement: ‘I’ve had back pain the past couple of days and I’m under doctor’s orders to take it easy and sit this week out. 

‘I’m resting up, I’ll be watching from home and cheering everyone on and I look forward to returning next week.’    

On Sunday, a source told The Sun: ‘It’s already a stretch making a two-hour episode of a TV show in a pandemic with a full cast.

‘But if any more pull out they will struggle to fill the slot. They’re already panicking about numbers because the celebrities are dropping like flies.

‘If Jason pulls out for good and there’s another injury, they could be forced off air.’  

On Friday, it was revealed Joe-Warren Plant, 18, and his skating partner Vanessa Bauer had to leave the show after they both tested positive for coronavirus. 

Rufus Hound, 41, was previously axed from the competition after he tested positive for coronavirus. 

Denise, 46, and Billie Shepherd, 31, both dropped out of the show after hurting themselves on the ice.

Denise dislocated her shoulder, while Billie suffered a concussion after falling on her head in training.  

So many celebrities have been forced to drop out of Dancing On Ice that for the first time in its history, the show has run out of reserves.