Strictly star Frankie injures ankle

Strictly Come Dancing favourite Frankie Bridge has been nursed by her professional show partner after she was left with an ankle injury in training.

The Saturdays singer – who is at the top of the leaderboard after dazzling the judges in week one – landed awkwardly after being lifted by Kevin Clifton in rehearsals for tomorrow night’s edition on BBC1.

But Bridge is back on her feet and hoping to keep her lead when she performs a Charleston to the theme music from 1970s sitcom Happy Days.

After her stumble this week her partner, known affectionately to viewers as “Kevin from Grimsby”, was seen icing the injury and she posted a picture of him in action online.

She said today: “I was in a lot of pain with my ankle but now I’m feeling fine and ready to hit the dancefloor with Kevin this weekend.”

The stakes are high this weekend for the 15 celebrities as the first elimination will take place during Sunday night’s results show when the bottom-placed acts face the dance-off and one couple will have to leave.

Actor Jake Wood, who was in second place after last weekend’s launch shows, will perform a salsa to Lou Bega’s Mambo No 5 with his partner Janette Manrara.

Programme bosses will be hoping to stay a step ahead of ITV rival The X Factor this week after drawing a bigger audience than the singing contest last week.

Other celebrities taking part in this year’s show include singer Pixie Lott, Andy Murray’s tennis coach mum Judy, MasterChef judge Gregg Wallace and TV adventurer Steve Backshall.