Vito Coppola’s replacement revealed after Strictly star forced to sit out tour due to injury
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To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video. Up Next. Vito Coppola has revealed he won’t be able to perform in the first few shows of the Strictly Come Dancing live tour due to injury.
![[For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only BBC handout photo of Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola, during their appearance on the live show of Saturday's Strictly Come Dancing show on BBC1. Picture date: Saturday November 23, 2024. See PA story SHOWBIZ Strictly. Photo credit should read: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/SEI_230698444-0881.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
The professional dancer, 32, competed on the last season of the BBC series and made it to the final with his partner, Miranda actress Sarah Hadland. After Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell won the Glitterball Trophy, most of the cast is about to get back together again and embark on the annual live tour across the country.
![[EMBARGOED TO 2000 SUNDAY NOVEMBER 3 For use in UK, Ireland or Benelux countries only Undated BBC handout photo of am Quek and Nikita Kuzmin, with host Tess Daly, after she became the latest celebrity to voted off BBC1 Strictly Come Dancing. Issue date: Sunday November 3, 2024. PA Photo. See PA story SHOWBIZ Strictly. Photo credit should read: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire NOTE TO EDITORS: Not for use more than 21 days after issue. You may use this picture without charge only for the purpose of publicising or reporting on current BBC programming, personnel or other BBC output or activity within 21 days of issue. Any use after that time MUST be cleared through BBC Picture Publicity. Please credit the image to the BBC and any named photographer or independent programme maker, as described in the caption.]](https://metro.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/SEI_228222429-3625.jpg?quality=90&strip=all&w=646)
The first show will kick off in Birmingham on Friday. However, Vito has said he won’t be able to take to the stage straight away after hurting his back. ‘I have a little injury,’ he said. ‘We are used to having a little bit of pain in the body but I’m battling some lower back pain at the moment.
‘I can walk and move but going and doing full-on dancing with lifting and sharp twists…it’s best at the moment to have a little rest.’. He continued when appearing on This Morning alongside Sarah on Monday: ‘But hopefully I will be able to dance again from the Sheffield shows.’.
The dancer also confirmed he would be replaced for the first three shows by fellow pro Nikita Kuzmin, who was paired with Olympic hockey player Sam Quek on the last season of the TV show. Vito, who won Strictly with Coronation Street actress Ellie Leach in 2023, went on to explain he had physio appointments and assessments planned this week as part of his recovery.
