Michael Barrymore's TV comeback on Dancing On Ice 'hanging in the balance as he breaks bone in his hand'

By LEIGH MCMANUS FOR MAILONLINE 01:33 18 Dec 2019, updated 01:33 18 Dec 2019

Michael Barrymore's TV comeback on Dancing On Ice is said to be in jeopardy after he reportedly broke his hand while training.

The 67-year-old comedian, whose last reality TV stint came when he finished second on Celebrity Big Brother in 2006, may now have to pull out of the show, claims The Sun.

'It's looking pretty bleak,' a TV insider told the publication, adding: 'The recovery time for a broken bone will mean it will be almost impossible for him to compete.'

Nightmare: The 67-year-old, whose last reality TV stint was on Celebrity Big Brother in 2006, when he finished second, may have to pull out of Dancing On Ice - which starts in January

They continued: 'Michael is absolutely gutted — he thought this would be his big chance to kick-start a TV revival.'

Related Articles

His skate partner Alex Murphy has previously sung his praises, lauding his skill and saying he is a better partner than Brian McFadden, who she competed with last year.

'He is so on-time and perfect,' she said, adding: 'He's lovely. He is an angel and a dream compared to who I had last year. A saint.'

MailOnline has contacted ITV for comment.

Huge blow: 'It's looking pretty bleak,' a TV insider told The Sun, adding: 'The recovery time for a broken bone will mean it will be almost impossible for him to compete'

Michael's career was devastated when Stuart Lubbock, a guest at a party in his home, was found dead in his swimming pool in 2001. No one was ever charged with the death of the 31-year-old.

Following the revelation of Lubbock's death, and Michael being released without charge by police, ITV terminated his contract and his career subsequently collapsed.

Now, the reported broken bone in his hand means that a chance at a return ahead of the show that starts in January next year is looking slim.

On the rink: His skate partner Alex Murphy has previously sung his praises, lauding his skill and saying he is a better partner than Brian McFadden, who she competed with last year

The star appeared on Piers Morgan's Life Stories this year and spoke about Mr Lubbock's tragic death and the fallout from it.

He said: 'Since Life Stories went out, I feel like it is the right time and right place but it is not for me to decide. I can't give myself work.'

This year's Dancing On Ice sees John Barrowman join Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean and Ashley Banjo on the panel while Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby once again return to present the show.

Michael expressed his delight at joining the DOI line up when the news was confirmed last month.

He said: 'I'm delighted to say that I'll be joining the Dancing on Ice line up for 2020.

'I'm looking forward to meeting Holly and Phil. I'm very excited...it's performance time!'

In training: Michael expressed his delight at joining the DOI line up when the news was confirmed last month

Dancing On Ice