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Strictly Come Dancing's JJ Chalmers to have surgery after finale

Photo credit: Claire Greenway - Getty Images
Photo credit: Claire Greenway - Getty Images

From Digital Spy

Strictly Come Dancing contestant JJ Chalmers has been impressing the judges and viewers alike with his dance routines with professional partner Amy Dowden and has now made it into the quarter-final of the BBC reality show.

But JJ won't be able to relax for long after this year's show comes to an end, as he has revealed that he will be undergoing surgery in January to treat an inflammation in his leg caused by shrapnel.

JJ, who was injured in an explosion in Afghanistan during his time as a Royal Marine, told The Sun that he needs an operation in the next few weeks as shrapnel in his leg has begun causing him pain following his intense dance training.

Photo credit: Guy Levy - BBC
Photo credit: Guy Levy - BBC

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"My body is covered in scars and it's full of shrapnel and frag and stuff from Afghanistan, which can sit quite happily for many years without any real issues," he said. "But the problem is, this one has been exacerbated.

"It can be the physical exertion or it could be the exhaustion. Unfortunately, what it does is it looks for the quickest way up to the surface of your skin, which is where the scar is.

"So it's about a six-inch scar that's pretty inflamed. It's a very tender, stinging pain. When Amy presses up against it, it's not a very nice thing to poke at."

JJ, who has also won medals during the Invictus Games, revealed that his surgeon has been keeping an eye on him and said that although he would ideally have had his operation sooner, he feels it is a "great thing" to have had Strictly to focus on.

Photo credit: Claire Greenway - Getty Images
Photo credit: Claire Greenway - Getty Images

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"I have the privilege of a life to have, so I'll be getting it dug out in January, once my world calms down a little," he said.

JJ added that he is accustomed to being in surgery, having been operated on every year since 2014, and promised that he won't be put off giving his all to Strictly by his injuries.

"It's a pretty routine thing for me, unfortunately," he said. "But, as I say, I'm not going to let it slow me down. It's amazing what you can get used to."

Strictly is celebrating Musicals Week this weekend, with JJ and Amy set to take on the Charleston to the sound of 'Chitty Chitty Bang Bang' from the stage show and movie of the same name.

Strictly Come Dancing continues this Saturday (December 5) on BBC One. Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two, hosted by Zoe Ball and Rylan Clark-Neal, airs Mondays through Fridays at 6.30pm on BBC Two.


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