Paralympian Will Bayley was in tears after being forced to pull out of this year's Strictly Come Dancing because of a leg injury he sustained in rehearsals last week.
"To me, it meant more than just a show...I just wanted to try and help people as well!"
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) October 30, 2019
He was an inspiration and a role model to many on #Strictly2019
Thankyou @WillBayleytt and @JManrara! pic.twitter.com/KSA2J40tOk
Bayley, who was absent from Saturday's show, landed awkwardly after jumping from a platform.
He broke down as he discussed his departure on Strictly's spin-off show It Takes Two on Wednesday evening.
"To me it meant more than just a show," he said. "I just wanted to try and help people as well."
"I'm gutted my Strictly journey has had to come to an end. I've loved being part of the show," the table tennis player said in an earlier statement.
Sadly Will Bayley is leaving #Strictly.@WillBayleytt and @JManrara will join @ZoeTheBall on tonight's #ItTakesTwo.
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) October 30, 2019
Read the full statement: https://t.co/eZdSQmUJtU pic.twitter.com/Mm0u1YlPYp
He paid tribute to his professional dance partner Janette Manrara, saying: "I want to say a special thank you to Janette for believing in me, and giving me the confidence to believe in myself.
"The things we achieved, from our couple's choice dance, through to the lifts in our salsa, will stay with me forever. I've had the time of my life."
Manrara said she was "absolutely devastated" to lose her celebrity partner.
"We made some incredible memories that I will never forget, and I am pleased to have shared them with such an inspirational person who I can now call a friend for life," she added.
Another Strictly contestant, Made in Chelsea's Jaime Laing, had to leave before this year's competition started due to a foot injury. He was replaced by Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher.
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday on BBC One at 7:00pm.
