Will Bayley returned to \'Strictly Come Dancing\' to discuss his knee injury on Saturday night (02.11.19).
The Paralympic table tennis champion had to pull out of the BBC Latin and Ballroom competition this week after doctors ruled he couldn\'t continue due to his anterior cruciate ligament injury in his right knee, which he suffered when he fell last Saturday (26.10.19) and was ruled out of that evening\'s show.
Will - who suffers with arthrogryposis in all four of his limbs - reduced his dance partner Janette Manrara to tears as he spoke about his time on the show.
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The sports star, whose knee was strapped up, told co-host Tess Daly: "I am so gutted.
"But it\'s so good to be here to support everyone.
"They are smashing it. I feel like I\'ve had the most support throughout this process."
Will has vowed to be back on his feet in time to compete in the Paralympics in Tokyo in 2020.
Asked how his knee is shaping up, he said: "It\'s getting there now. I want to see what it\'s like in a couple of weeks.
"But I will be there for Tokyo. I want to try and win that gold medal again in Tokyo 2020. I\'m a fighter, I\'ve got this ... if there was anyway I could dance I would."
Will previously admitted he was devastated to have to end his time on the show in this way.
In a statement, he said: "I\'m gutted my \'Strictly\' journey has had to come to an end. I\'ve loved being part of the show, and am so grateful for the phenomenal support we have received.
"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."
Will suffered his injury on the day of the live show last Saturday, when he was rehearsing his jive with Janette.
The star performed part of his routine in which he jumped from a raised part of the stage, but twisted his right knee when he fell and was rushed to hospital when he was unable to get up from the floor.
No contestant is allowed to miss two weeks of the live shows, and as doctors said he needed six months\' rest to heal, he had no option but to pull out of the programme.
22 March 2026 - 4:37 AM
