Billie Faiers to miss 'Dancing On Ice' after family bereavement

Billie Faiers is taking a break from Dancing On Ice after a family bereavement.

The TOWIE star, 31, was due to take to the ice this weekend with her professional partner Mark Hanretty, but will now miss the show.

Faiers, who is married to businessman Greg Shepherd, is due to return to the ITV programme the following week.

Watch: John Barrowman reveals what's been a big challenge for him on Dancing On Ice

Read more: Myleene Klass bangs her head after blacking out during DOI training

A Dancing On Ice spokesperson told Yahoo: “Sadly due to a family bereavement this week Billie Shepherd is taking a break from the ice and won't be on Sunday's show.

“We look forward to her returning next week and send her all of our love at this sad time."

The Daily Mail reported that it was Faiers’ grandmother Wendy who passed away, and that she had been suffering from pneumonia.

A source said Faiers and her sister Sam were “completely devastated”.

The publication also said the sisters have taken some time out from filming their reality programme The Mummy Diaries as they grieve.

Faiers’ sad news comes just days after fellow DOI contestant Denise van Outen announced she was pulling out of the competition due to injury.

The TV star was left in agony after breaking her shoulder in three places during training.

Announcing her exit on Instagram, she said she was “gutted” that her spin on the ice had come to an end.

Sharing a picture of her and her skating partner Matt Evers, with her arm in a glamorous sling, she said: “I’ve tried as hard as I can to carry on because I love the show and the amazing team in front and behind the cameras.

“Initially we thought with rest I could make a return to the ice, but a recent MRI scan has shown that I have 3 bone fractures as well as a partial dislocation. OUCH! No wonder I’ve been in agony.

“I won’t be able to do any lifts, tricks or solo skating on the show due to my injury. I’m going to bail out gracefully with my DOI bling sling.”

Read more: Denise van Outen threw up from pain of Dancing On Ice injury

The new series of Dancing On Ice started this month, with Jayne Torvill, Christopher Dean, John Barrowman and Ashley Banjo on the judging panel and Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield returning as hosts.

It airs on ITV on Sunday evenings.

Watch: Gemma Collins steals the show on Dancing On Ice