Sarah Storey 'gutted' to be out of Dancing on Ice

Dame Sarah Storey has said she is "absolutely gutted" to have to pull out of the upcoming series of Dancing on Ice after fracturing her ankle falling over in training.

Britain's most successful Paralympian posted on social media on Friday to say that an "awkward stumble and fall", while her left foot was "stuck on the ice", meant she was unable to take part in the ITV series from January next year.

Dame Sarah thanked those involved with the show and medical staff for ensuring she is "already fixed and home with rehab underway".

She had been working on her routine alongside pro skating partner Sylvain Longchambon, but will now have to settle for watching from home with her leg up in a cast while on crutches.

The swimmer-turned-cyclist won the 18th and 19th Paralympic gold medals of her career in Paris in September, before hitting the ice rink for show rehearsals.

In a post on Instagram, she wrote: "Absolutely gutted to have my Dancing on Ice training interrupted in this way - just as my first routine with @slongchambon was really coming together!

"An awkward stumble and fall with my left foot stuck on the ice sadly led to me fracturing my left ankle."

She added: "I'm so fortunate that both Sylvain and Coach @stephenpickavance were by my side and knew exactly what to do and that the medical backup for the show is truly world class.

"The Head of Medical @sharonmorrisonuk wasted no time in getting me to the very best surgeon so I'm already fixed and home with rehab underway!"

The 47-year-old - who has won 30 medals at nine different Paralympic Games - confirmed she was "working with the team at ITV to come up with a plan for what's next". She said she is also focusing on getting "back to full power and of course back to my bike ahead of next season!"

"My career has seen so many ups and downs with injury and illness, plus returning after two babies, which means I'm well equipped for another comeback," she wrote.

Some people online have already starting speculating about her making a potential return to the show in 2026.

Dame Sarah, who was made a dame in the 2013 New Year Honours for services to para-cycling, had been the final contestant named on the show's line-up - alongside fellow celebrities including Olympic rower Sir Steve Redgrave, TV presenter Michaela Strachan and soap stars Charlie Brooks and Sam Aston.

They will be joined on the ice rink by others including former footballer Anton Ferdinand, Hollyoaks actress Chelsee Healey and reality stars Mollie Pearce and Ferne McCann.