Dancing With the Stars' Peta Murgatroyd has been forced to pull out of Season 21 due to an ankle injury, her rep confirms to Us Weekly.
The blonde bombshell is devastated after doctors informed her that an ankle pain is actually the result of four torn ligaments and a floating piece of bone at the back of her joint. And she's been told she must have an operation if she doesn’t want to put her future dancing career in jeopardy.
"The past three days have been really tough to say the least," Murgatroyd told her fans via Twitter late on Monday, Aug. 31. "I learned that my ankle injury is at a stage that needs surgery immediately. I'm so sorry but I have to step out of Season 21 of DWTS,” she continued.
“This is obviously one of the toughest decisions I've ever made and I seriously struggled with the idea of not being able to dance, but I know my health does come first, and the sooner I get this done, the sooner I can be back in the ballroom for all of you!" she added.
Murgatroyd's surgery will keep her off the dance floor for six to eight weeks, which means her partner, Andy Grammer, who had specifically chosen to dance with her in the forthcoming season of the hit ABC show, must find another partner.
"I hope to be back before the season ends, doing group numbers and of course cheering on Andy and my friends in audience," Murgatroyd added in her long tweet. "It killed me to let someone else take care of Andy, who is such a genuine loving guy. But I know he will be in good hands. I will miss the show so much but just know that I will come better back than ever, and with a brand new ankle."
Despite finding it tough telling Grammer the news, the New Zealand-born dancing sensation is feeling positive about the future and looking forward to getting herself fit for her dancing shoes, so she can get back to work as soon as possible after her surgery, which is scheduled for later this month.
"Thank you for all the love today,” she added as she acknowledged her fans' support. “I will also keep you all up to date on my progress and of course you will see some silly 'before and after' surgery pictures!"
Get well soon, Peta!
