AJ Odudu has credited her dance partner Kai Widdrington with "holding her together" after injuring herself in rehearsals ahead of the Strictly Come Dancing final.
The TV presenter, 33, is due to compete in the grand finale of the BBC One dancing show this Saturday, but has suffered a "traumatic injury" to her ligaments – yet remains "hopeful" they will be able to perform their three routines in a bid to win the coveted glitterball trophy.
The pair’s close partnership and steamy routines have sparked rumours of a relationship, with Odudu previously saying she feels it is "lovely" that people are so invested in their relationship.
Speaking on Strictly spin-off, It Takes Two, on Wednesday evening, Odudu became emotional while discussing the injury.
She said: "I'm upset because we were so excited on Monday. We’ve got three amazing dances that we really want to perform.
"And I know I’m getting upset but I am genuinely remaining hopeful. I’m surrounded by a really great medical team who are trying their best to get me back on my feet.
"And of course, I’ve got Kai who is really holding me together, physically and emotionally right now."
AJ may have an injury but she's remaining hopeful for the #Strictly Final 🙌#ItTakesTwo @AJOdudu @Kaiwidd @JManrara pic.twitter.com/oZuZ7nJ2v7
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) December 15, 2021
The TV presenter added that she was unsure when she sustained the injury during training, but explained that she has issues with her joints and has suffered a "traumatic injury" to her ligaments and said there is "a lot of inflammation".
She added: "I can’t pinpoint when it happened during training. In fact, we felt really positive after training on Monday, I felt fine, but the pain came on so suddenly and acutely that I actually projectile vomited.
"I’m unable to stand on my right foot and I can’t stand up without crutches and I’m very upset."
In the final on Saturday, the pair are due to perform three routines, including reprising their jive to Gold Dust by DJ Fresh from week one which impressed the judges and placed her top of the leaderboard with a score of 34.
They will also perform their dazzling Charleston again to Don’t Bring Lulu by Dorothy Provine, Pinky and The Girls which scored them a 39 out of a possible 40.
She scored her first perfect 40 during Saturday's semi-final for one of her two routines - a Quickstep - which judge Craig Revel Horwood gushed was "incredible".
Her other semi-final routine, a Rumba, earned her a score of 39 out of a possible 40, leaving her and EastEnders star Rose Ayling-Ellis joint top of the leaderboard after Saturday night.
Following the semi-final, Odudu thanked fans for their messages and votes, saying she felt like "the luckiest girl in the world".
Still can't believe we're @bbcstrictly FINALISTS!!!! 🙌🏾✨ I'm so happy I could burst. Thank you for all your votes and kind messages and thank you @kaiwidd for believing in me. I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. 😭💕✨ pic.twitter.com/SHzhE6mnYW
— AJ ODUDU (@AJOdudu) December 13, 2021
Former Bake Off winner John Whaite and his professional dance partner Johannes Radebe and Ayling-Ellis and her professional dance partner Giovanni Pernice make up the rest of the trio for the final alongside Odudu and Widdrington.
The Strictly Come Dancing Final 2021 is on 18 December at 7:00pm on BBC One.
Source: Press Association
