Stefan Dennis, renowned for his role as Paul Robinson in Neighbours, has been forced to withdraw from Strictly Come Dancing after sustaining a severe calf muscle tear during his Charleston performance last weekend. The injury, which required a heavy dose of painkillers to get through the routine, has left the 66-year-old actor devastated and unable to return home to his wife, Gail Easdale, and their three children due to medical restrictions on air travel.
The incident occurred during a high-energy performance with professional partner Dianne Buswell, which earned the pair their highest score of 26 points. Despite the success, Stefan’s injury has abruptly ended his Strictly journey, leaving him “gutted” and feeling as though he has let down his partner, the show, and its fans. “I just feel like I’ve let everyone down,” he told The Mirror. “They all say I haven’t, of course, and the pros know all about injuries, but it feels like a shame to go out in this way.”
Adding to his distress, Stefan is stranded abroad for at least two more weeks due to the risk of deep vein thrombosis, preventing him from reuniting with Gail, his wife of 25 years. “She’s pretty upset about it,” he admitted. The actor, who is the eldest competitor on this year’s Strictly but maintains his fitness through extreme sports, expressed frustration at the sudden end to his time on the show. He even suggested to producers that recently eliminated contestant Chris Robshaw could return in his place, but was told, “Once you’ve gone, you’ve gone.”
Stefan’s injury, which he cannot pinpoint to a specific moment during training, was severe enough to require immediate withdrawal after medical evaluation. “It just started hurting,” he recalled. “When I got it checked, they said I’d ripped my calf muscle. I got through Saturday night’s show on a truckload of painkillers.” Despite the pain, the support from fellow Strictly contestants has been a source of comfort. “We’ve all got so close, it doesn’t feel like a competition,” he said. “We all just want each other to do well.”
This isn’t the first health setback Stefan has faced during the competition. He previously missed the third week due to a vertigo episode but recovered with medical assistance. Announcing his withdrawal on social media, he expressed gratitude to the Strictly team and Dianne, writing, “I owe both the Strictly Family and Dianne a massive debt of gratitude for giving me the opportunity to fulfil my dream of being able to dance with my wife. (When my leg is better).”
Stefan’s exit may impact the show’s finale, with the actor speculating that only three couples might compete, provided no further injuries occur. “That’s what has happened before, I believe,” he noted.
Despite his disappointment, Stefan found inspiration at the Pride of Britain Awards on Tuesday at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel, where he joined other Strictly celebrities, professionals, and judges to present an award to teenager Zach Eagling. Zach, who has cerebral palsy and epilepsy due to a birth injury, was honored for his remarkable fundraising efforts and advocacy. During the pandemic, at just eight years old, Zach completed garden circuits to raise funds for the Epilepsy Society. After facing online abuse in the form of seizure-inducing imagery, he campaigned for ‘Zach’s Law,’ which criminalizes trolling intended to provoke seizures. The law, effective since September 2023, carries a penalty of up to five years in prison.
“Hearing about Zach and his story helped to keep it all in perspective,” Stefan reflected. “What an amazing young man he is.” As he navigates his recovery and the uncertainty of his immediate future, Stefan remains grateful for the support and camaraderie of the Strictly community, even as he grapples with the abrupt end to his dancing journey.