Will Bayley

Will Bayley's Dance Disaster: The Knee Injury That Could Stop the Cha-Cha!

Will Bayley reveals the shocking truth behind his Strictly Come Dancing injury and why he believes the BBC owes him an apology! 🎤💃

Will Bayley, the Paralympic table tennis phenomenon and former star of Strictly Come Dancing, has recently opened up about the harrowing injury he suffered during his time on the popular dance show back in 2019. Partnered with Janette Manrara, the high-flying emotional rollercoaster of rehearsals took a nightmarish turn when a jump gone wrong resulted in a serious knee injury. Fans may remember him as the spirited contestant who dazzled with his talent, but behind the glittering facade, Will navigated a pain-filled recovery while revealing that the real-life consequences of his injury had a profound impact on his mental health as well.

In an emotional revelation during his appearance on This Morning, Will stated that he was made to feel uncomfortable about expressing the severity of his injury. The renowned athlete felt pressured as if he was “making a mountain out of a molehill.” To make matters worse, he claims he couldn’t even walk properly for six months post-injury, prompting calls for the BBC to issue a public apology for their apparent neglect during this crucial period of his life.

Janette Manrara, his dance partner, has also been vocal in supporting Will, thanking fans for the continued encouragement amid the whirlwind of comments surrounding their experience. With mounting criticism and claims of bullying within the BBC, Will has hit back at accusations suggesting he is merely ‘jumping on the bandwagon’. While he remains passionate about dancing, the situation has understandably left him feeling upset and depressed, with the hope that sharing his story will bring about greater awareness regarding the importance of mental health and injury management in high-pressure situations like dance competitions.

To cap it all off, it’s worth noting that injury on reality shows isn't a novelty—many contestants across various programmes have faced similar circumstances, with some even leading to lifelong impacts. Perhaps in a humorous twist—wouldn't it be great if we could combine the unpredictable dancing with a little bit of bubblewrap? Dancing with Care should be our slogan if we ever reimagine the show!