O'Brien to miss this week's 'Strictly Come Dancing' with illness

Tina O'Brien will miss this week's 'Strictly Come Dancing' after falling ill with chicken pox.

The 27-year-old actress - who has 23-month-old daughter Scarlett - is "devastated" at having to skip this weekend's live performance to recover at home from the contagious skin complaint.

O'Brien was due to perform a rumba with her dance partner Jared Murilla - who has flown seven members of his family over from America - but her doctor has said she is unable to compete.

If she is too unwell to return next week, she will have to leave the show.

She said: "I am devastated. I was so looking forward to this week's show. Jared and I have spent so much time and effort on a really fantastic routine and I just couldn't wait to perform it on Saturday.

"Hopefully I will bounce back quickly and be on top dancing form soon, ready to come back straight into the next routine. I will be watching them all this weekend."

The remaining 12 celebrities will appear on the show as normal on Saturday - including Ann Widdecombe, who is grieving the loss of her brother Malcolm - ahead of the elimination which will be aired on the results show on Sunday.