Blackpool actor Joe Warren Plant 'disappointed' to cut short his run in Dancing on Ice after testing positive for Covid

Taking to Twitter the 18-year-old, Blackpool actor, the youngest contestant to compete in the hit ITV ice show series said he was 'beyond heartbroken' to have had to cut their run in the competition short.

He said: "Despite taking every precaution possible, unfortunately due to contracting and testing positive for Covid-19, me and Vanessa will no longer be competing on

@dancingonice

"I am beyond heartbroken that our journey has been cut short.

"For the past few months we have dedicated our entire lives to the show and I can’t even describe how I feel knowing we won’t be able to showcase what we were capable of and on the road to achieving.

"Dancing on Ice has been the most amazing experience. I have met so many incredible / kind people who I now consider as family and I have loved every minute sharing this journey with you all.

"Vanessa, thankyou for putting up with me over the past few months. You have been the most amazing partner / teacher / friend I could possibly wish for.

"You taught me how to ICE SKATE!!! WOW! For that I could never repay you...."

The teenager, who began performing at the age of four and was a member of Blackpool Scream Theatre School, added his thanks to everyone who had supported and voted and said he would be 'forever grateful.'

In a statement through the show he said:“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.”

Vanessa, 24, said she was as equally sad they would not to be able to continue on their Dancing on Ice journey.

The Berlin-born ice star acrobat and dancer has been living in the resort since the pair began their training late last year and had been training together at the renowned Blackpool Ice Arena.

Vanessa said:“Unfortunately, we have received positive test results for Covid which means we cannot continue to compete this year,”

“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.”

ITV issued a statement, which read: “We can confirm that following positive COVID tests, Joe-Warren Plant and Vanessa Bauer have had to withdraw from this year’s competition.

They’ve been wonderful on the show this year and we thank them for all their dedication and beautiful performances.”

The Emmerdale and Vanessa had scored consistently high marks in their three weeks of the competition, twice sharing top of the leaderboard and among the favourites to go further in the contest.

Joe Warren had taken a break from his role as Jacob Gallagher in Emmerdale to take part in the show, a role he has played for the last 10 years.