Former Strictly contestant 'forced to turn down Dancing on Ice' after appearing on scandal-hit BBC show 'amid concerns for his safety' Have YOU got a story? Email [email protected] By Ruth Francis For Mailonline Published: 13:23 EDT, 27 July 2024 | Updated: 13:28 EDT, 27 July 2024 e-mail View comments A former Strictly Come Dancing star has 'turned down a place on Dancing on Ice amid concerns for his safety'. Invictus Games medallist JJ Chalmers appeared on the BBC dance floor four years ago, before he was eliminated in the quarter finals during Musicals Week.
The TV presenter, 37, has now admitted that despite being offered a part on Dancing on Ice, his surgeon told him it was a hard 'no'. The star had to undergo nearly 30 operations after being injured in a bomb blast in Afghanistan in 2011 where he lost part of his arm, shattered his elbow, suffered leg injuries and lost two fingers. His life changing injuries has meant any chance of appearing on the ice-skating show were scrapped due to safety concerns.
Former Strictly contestant JJ Chalmers has 'turned down a place on Dancing on Ice' amid 'concerns for his safety' The Invictus Games medallist appeared on the dancing show in 2020 and has now admitted that despite being offered a part on Dancing on Ice, his surgeon told him it was a hard 'no' Speaking to The Sun , JJ said: 'I had the call from Dancing on Ice a few years ago and, obviously, with the disability that I carry, I remember phoning my surgeon about doing Strictly. 'She said, 'yeah, yeah, I reckon we can figure that one out,' but for the Dancing on Ice call it is a 'no'.' He continued: "So, I've had to say no to that one as I'm fragile!" JJ - whose full name and title is Lance Corporal John James Chalmers - also revealed the reason he decided to do Strictly was to 'push himself out of his comfort zone' and 'challenge himself'.
The close friend of Prince Harry 's questioned that if you were being offered to learn how to dance with the best dancers in the world, 'why would you say no?' JJ was paired up with dance partner Amy Dowden on the scandal-hit BBC show who he admitted at the time: 'yes, she's quite tough'. His wife Kornelia insisted he must do Strictly and took on the role of his cheerleader, adviser, mentor and confidante. The pair's relationship was still in the early stages when he was injured, with her describing it as being 'one of the things life throws at you.
JJ was paired up with professional dance partner Amy Dowden who he admitted at the time: 'yes, she's quite tough' JJ - whose full name and title is Lance Corporal John James Chalmers - revealed the reason he decided to do Strictly was to 'push himself out of his comfort zone' and 'challenge himself' The TV presenter finished in the quarter finals of Strictly Come Dancing during Musicals week, losing out to Made In Chelsea star Jamie Laing The star had to undergo nearly 30 operations after being injured in a bomb blast in Afghanistan and during his recovery got to know Prince Harry, due to his involvement with the Invictus Games JJ, met his wife Kornelia at university in 2007 and three years later the pair started dating before tying the knot in 2015. The couple have a daughter Hayley, eight, and son James, six During his time on the dancing show, the couple told MailOnline the turning point in their relationship being the day they walked along a hospital corridor, him leaning on her, and her holding his catheter bag. JJ said: 'There I was, a big strong Marine wanting to impress his girlfriend, having to have her carry the bag'.
'I wanted to,' she points out. 'And the fact that he let me was everything. We were able to laugh about it at the time.
I was at the side of him, with this bag of wee clipped to my pocket.' Read More Nick Knowles, 61, shares the real reason he is joining the Strictly lineup amid abuse claimes It comes after Nick Knowles and Pete Wicks have reportedly signed up for this years show. The TV star has reportedly signed up for Strictly this year after months of talks with show bosses, with sources claiming he's 'willing to give anything a crack.
' Nick previously joined forces with Strictly professionals including Katya Jones and Luba Mushtuk, for a special episode of DIY SOS, where they transformed a performing arts school in North Tyneside. Nick previously joined forces with Strictly professionals including Katya Jones and Luba Mushtuk, for a special episode of DIY SOS, where they transformed a performing arts school in North Tyneside. The presenter also previously offered his thoughts on Strictly when fans discussed how CBBC star Molly Rainford was in the bottom two, while footballer Tony Adams avoided elimination.
He wrote on Instagram: '@bbcstrictly is an entertainment show not strictly a dancing competition — otherwise those that went to drama college & learned dance would have an unfair advantage. 'It's the one who connects with the audience that wins. It's been previously reported that other names set to take part in the new series will include EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick and social media star Grace Keeling, known as GK Barry.
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