Dancing on Ice 2018: Max Evans forced to skate with new partner after Ale Izquierdo falls ill

Max Evans will compete in Dancing on Ice with a different partner this weekend as Ale Izquierdo has been taken ill.

The rugby star – who has been flying high this series – will skate with Brandee Malto, who was eliminated from the competition last week with Coronation Street star Antony Cotton.

A statement from ITV read: “Owing to illness, Max Evans’ partner Ale will not be performing this weekend. He will instead be dancing alongside Brandee Malto.”

Evans – whose brother Thom did Strictly Come Dancing in 2014 – has been consistently near the top of the leaderboard for his routines, scoring 32 last week.

Earlier in the series, Evans was left worried after Izquierdo suffered a fall and a bang on the head during rehearsals.

Elsewhere, Good Morning Britain weatherman Alex Beresford revealed on Friday’s show that his professional partner Brianne Delcourt has been grappling with a winter illness this week – limiting their training time.

He told the show: “Brianne is ill - she could only train for 45 minutes yesterday then she had to go home.

“I woke up this morning and had a message from her and she says she's feeling worse.

“I don't know what's happening [with the show] - we've got a massive day, three routines to do in the show,” he added.

Sunday night marks week eight of the revived skating competition with a Fairy Tale theme week.