Christopher Dean out of Dancing on Ice
EXCLUSIVE: Dean out of show for surgery
Christopher Dean will watch Jayne Torvill perform solo for the first time in 35 years after being ruled out of Dancing on Ice through surgery.
The 49-year-old rink legend is due to have a keyhole operation on a damaged knee cartilage today, meaning he won't be able to skate for at least a week.
So 50-year-old Jayne will perform the usual dance to open the hit ITV1 show on Sunday on her own.
Christopher said: "It'll be odd for me to see Jayne skate on her own."
Jayne admitted she is nervous about her first solo outing in ages.
She said: "I've skated with Chris since I was 15, and he's always there to give my hand a little squeeze before we start. I might feel lonely out on my own.
"But Chris has choreographed my routine and I swear he's given me one that's harder than ever."
Christopher reassured fans his knee problem is not career threatening. He said: "I will be back on the ice very soon." The star will still appear on Sunday's show as a mentor.
Dancing on Ice has been cursed by a string of injuries to contestants.
Last week, GMTV's Michael Underwood, 32, broke his ankle. Samantha Mumba - kicked out this week - Aggie Mackenzie and Suzanne Shaw have also been hurt.
Mirror