Joe-Warren Plant and his professional skating partner Vanessa Bauer have pulled out of Dancing On Ice after testing positive for Covid-19. 

The soap star said he was "disappointed" to leave the competition early and thanked Bauer in a statement. 

He has become the fourth skater forced to leave the competition early due to illness or injury. 

"Having tested positive for Covid, this now means the end of the competition for Vanessa and I," he said. 

"I have loved every minute of being a part of Dancing On Ice and I am disappointed as I feel I had so much more to give and was working hard to perfect each performance. 

"Thank you so much to Vanessa for being a fantastic teacher and, although it's been cut short, I've thoroughly enjoyed this experience." 

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Pro-skater Bauer said: "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." 

She also shared the news on Instagram saying that both of them are "feeling fine" and are "heartbroken" at having to leave the show.

A spokeswoman for ITV said: "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." 

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Last week it was revealed that comedian Rufus Hound was withdrawing from the competition after he tested positive for Covid-19. 

Reality TV star Billie Shepherd also left the show early after injuring herself during a fall, while actress and singer Denise Van Outen withdrew after she partially dislocated her shoulder during training. 

Dancing On Ice continues on ITV on Sundays at 6pm.