Strictly Come Dancing: Artem injury leaves Holly dancing with Brendan

Artem Chigvintstev has admitted defeat in his battle to be fit for Saturday’s Strictly Come Dancing – leaving partner Holly Valance in uncharted territory.

Artem suffered a suspected fractured spine last week but the diagnosis has since been revised to joint and tissue damage.

Depsite that though, Artem will still miss this Saturday’s show, which means Holly will have to dance her rumba with new partner, Brendan Cole, who was booted off the show last week with partner Lulu.

Artem has been overseeing rehearsals with Brendan throughout the week but, having to perform with a new partner could prove tricky for the former Neighbours star.

Speaking to BBC2’s It Takes Two, she said: “I’d just got to know dancing with Artem, got to know his body.

“But now I’m at a disadvantage because I’m dancing with someone completely new.”

It shouldn’t prove too disadvantageous to Holly though as her trials and tribulations are sure to be given a thorough going over in a Coldplay-themed montage before her dance, giving the judges and the public plenty of reason to go easy on her.

She is currently 14/1 to be the sixth person eliminated from the series and is still amongst the shortest priced dancers at 8/1 to win the series.

Audley Harrison is currently the 4/6 favourite to exit the show this weekend, while Anita Dobson – who received a standing ovation for her Charleston on Saturday – is second favourite at 5/1.

After being saved despite being in the bottom two for the past fortnight, it looks as though this could be the end of Audley’s time on Strictly.