Vanessa Bauer is reportedly demanding a meeting with Dancing On Ice bosses after she was told she ‘won’t be returning to the competition’.
The pro skater, 24, is paired with Joe-Warren Plant, 18, on the ITV show and is said to have been hoping they’d be allowed back after finishing 10 days isolation following positive Covid results – and only missing one live show after the series took a break.
However a source has now told The Sun that Vanessa is ‘devastated’ at not being able to rejoin the 2021 season, saying she feels like ‘they’ve been stabbed in the back’ amid claims of ‘favouritism’ from other contestants.
Not impressed: Vanessa Bauer is reportedly demanding a meeting with Dancing On Ice bosses after she was told she ‘won’t be returning to the competition’ (pictured with Joe-Warren Plant)
The friend explained to the publication that she was training with Joe-Warren when they were told on Friday that they’re not returning, despite hoping they could come back following their Covid isolation.
They said: ‘Vanessa wants a meeting to discuss what happened as it all feels a bit rushed. She said she was confused as she was so sure they were going back.
‘She’s heard talk of favouritism [from other contestants]… It feels a bit like they’ve been stabbed in the back.’
MailOnline has contacted Dancing On Ice and Vanessa’s representatives for further comment.
All over? The skating duo (pictured) recently finished 10 days isolation in a hotel after testing positive for Coronavirus
It was reported on Friday that the duo are said to be heartbroken after losing their place in the show over coronavirus diagnosis.
Insiders told The Sun: ‘They had no ill-effects of being positive for COVID-19, so have been keeping fit and healthy in the confines of their hotel walls while they were isolating. But ultimately the producers have to uphold the integrity of the show’.
Joe and Vanessa have been in quarantine in a Buckinghamshire hotel, after testing positive for the virus with no symptoms, and it is claimed they initially hoped they would be able to return when they were out.
Despite this, bosses have made a hard line that any positive tests will result in no return from contestants – many of whom have dropped out for a host of reasons.
Oh dear: Joe-Warren and Vanessa are said to be heartbroken after losing their place in the show over coronavirus diagnosis
Last week, Vanessa shared her joy at being out of quarantine, as she took Instagram to mark the end of isolation, Vanessa wrote: ‘After 10days in a hotel room with COVID we are back in the real world.
‘We are both healthy physically and mentally and although the shock is still there also after missing one show it can now only go upwards…
’10days ago @joewarren_plant and I got that call whilst training on the ice. It was a usual training day at @dancingonice until all of a sudden at the end of the day we found ourselves in the hotel where we then spent the past 10days…
‘It was a shock and it’s still hard to understand as to why this had to happen to us… we had the time of our lives and it ended just like that…
Having a laugh: It has been claimed they initially hoped they would be able to return when they were out and testing negative for Covid
‘I am naturally such a positive person and I’m sure it all makes sense in the end, for now I am grateful to be healthy..
‘At least I wasn’t alone in this and I got to work on my handstands 🙂 THANK YOU for your kind messages throughout this time’
Vanessa had been keeping fans updated on her time in isolation and apologised to fans after expressing her frustration at being forced to isolate with COVID-19 despite showing no physical symptoms earlier in the week.
The professional skater suffered a backlash after commenting on her lack of any key symptoms – among them shortness of breath, a persistent cough and fatigue.
Taking to the social media platform on Wednesday evening, the German skater apologized for causing offence, but admitted she had been struggling to cope following her abrupt departure from Dancing On Ice.
He’s out! On Monday it was revealed that Jason Donovan, 52, had quit the show after suffering back injury despite initial claims he would remain a part of the programme
Oh dear: Denise Van Outen (pictured with Matt Evers last month) was forced to drop out too, after she dislocated her shoulder and Billie Faiers was forced to quit after hitting her head
The news is undoubtedly a blow to Vanessa and Joe as it was reported that bosses would bend their rule that one positive test would mean permanent exclusion.
It was claimed last week that due to the show’s dropping number of contestants due to several injuries, it is no surprise they appear to be considering revising the rules.
It is understood that bosses have not extended the same offer to other pairings because they all missed more than one public vote.
Rufus Hound, 41, who had Covid, Billie Shepherd, 31, and Denise Van Outen, 46, who were both injured, all had at least two weeks off.
On Monday it was revealed that Jason Donovan, 52, had quit the show after suffering back injury despite initial claims he would remain a part of the programme.
Dropping numbers: Reality star Billie was the second celebrity to leave the show when she suffered a concussion 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.
Professional skater Hamish Gaman, 37, is the latest celebrity to quit the ‘cursed’ ITV show after he injured his hand ‘whilst 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.’
Faye will remain in the competition but will now be partnered with professional skater Matt Evers, who was previously partnered with Denise Van Outen.
Another drop out: Comedian Rufus quit the show entirely, after testing positive for COVID-19