Greg Rutherford gives health update after Dancing On Ice injury left him with abs detached – and confirms return talks

GREG Rutherford has given a health update after a horror injury forced him out of the Dancing On Ice final just hours before the show hit screens.

The medal-winning Olympian, 37, spoke to Wednesday’s ITV Lorraine show – and even teased he would “love” a return to the rink.

Greg was forced to pull out of the ITV series back in January following a mystery injury which left him in hospital and his stomach “in a bad way.”

Shortly afterwards, the dad-of-three told of the exact moment his battle for the Dancing On Ice title ended – in a routine which saw him dressed as a sailor and sliding on his stomach.

Speaking to Lorraine Kelly, 64, on her one-hour show he gave an update on his progress and said: “I am a lot better thank you.

“I have had to have surgery to repair the injury, so I had a pretty nasty hernia form and I also detached my lower left ab so less than ideal.

“Not what you expect.”

He added: “It’s a tough thing, because mentally you have to get your head around it as well.

“From doing this incredible show in the limelight and doing these incredible skates and all of a sudden you can’t move.”

He told how his nautical routine sparked the injury when he slid between a dancer’s legs on his front.

Greg explained: “That was the moment my lower left ab completely detached but then also the herniation above my belly button.”

He said: “I couldn’t move – it was one of the most bizarre things.

I think it was because it was in my stomach and you realise how much you use your stomach to move.

“So I was there on the ice for 10 minutes with gas and air while they had to get me off.”

Despite the horror injury and surgery that followed, Greg admitted he did feel there is “a little bit” of unfinished business on the ITV reality series.

Adding more detail on his hopes for a comeback he said: “Its been early stage discussed whether or not I come back and do one skate maybe.

“I don’t know whether or not it will happen – of course we have to make sure Vanessa definitely comes back.”

He then added: “I would love to give it another go.”

As Lorraine asked if he would be scared to pull on his skates, he joked: “Maybe it’s just stupidity!”

Previously, Greg admitted he “wasn’t fully prepared” for the show final.

His professional skating partner Vanessa announced the news of his 2024 show exit on social media, stating: “Unfortunately Greg has sustained a significant injury this morning at rehearsals and won’t be able to perform tonight. 

At the time, she explained: “We are on our way to the hospital for Greg to get examined further and receive the treatment he needs.”

Fans told how they had previously re-visited the show favourite’s final routine after the horror incident, eager to rewatch his skills on the ice.

Former Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas went on to become crowned the show champ.