Strictly Come Dancing star Stefan Dennis was forced to quit the star-studded BBC competition after suffering a gruelling calf injury during the Saturday live show. The Neighbours icon was dancing the Charleston with pro Dianne Buswell when he ripped his calf muscle with only painkillers to get him through the weekend. Although the pair made it through elimination Sunday, the Aussie native revealed that he will have to step away from the competition to aid his recovery.

However, after being forced to leave the ballroom due to his injury, Stefan expressed his frustration at being unable to return home and see his wife, Gail, and three children. Despite being gutted by his premature exit, the Paul Robinson star put on a brave face as he attended Tuesday's (October 21) Pride of Britain awards in London alongside mum-to-be Dianne. Stefan even made an appearance on stage with his Strictly cast to hand teenager Zach Eagling, 13, his Teenager of Courage award.

After admitting he was "gutted" to be leaving Strictly, Stefan revealed: "It's a bit of a s****er, but I'll be back at the end of the year, for the final."

The actor then shared that his wife, Gail, was heartbroken that he wouldn't be able to return home to Australia for another month despite his injury.

The 66-year-old explained that he will not be able to travel because medics have banned him from getting on a plane.

"I can't fly for another two weeks because of the risk of deep vein thrombosis, which my wife is pretty upset about," he explained to the Mirror.

Stefan continued: "I just feel like I've let everyone down. 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.

"It was all going so well. When you go out, you want it to be because the viewers have spoken, because it's your time, not like this."

In his Strictly exit announcement, Sarah James, the Executive Producer of BBC Studios, added: "We've adored having Stefan on Strictly Come Dancing, and are heartbroken that his Strictly journey and his fantastic partnership with Dianne Buswell has been cut short.

"It's been a joy to see him embrace the series with such enthusiasm, and we really hope that, once better, he will keep on dancing."

Stefan's departure comes after he missed week three of the competition due to an unrelated illness. At the time, he said: "I had a little bit of a turn, a little bit of an episode with vertigo.

"But it was all OK, I made myself right again with the help of some good people at the hospital."