November 21 - Jade Johnson (pictured), the 2002 European and Commonwealth Games long jump silver medallist, was tonight forced to pull-out of Strictly Come Dancing because she does not want to jeopardise her chances of competing at the London 2012 Olympics.

 

The 29-year-old Londoner suffered a knee injury last week and missed the show.

 

Her condition did not improve and under the rules if any competitor misses two consecutive shows she are not allowed to compete.

 

Johnson said: "I am so, so upset that I am not able to dance tonight.

 

"It just makes me see what a wonderful time I’ve had and how much I’m going to miss it.

 

"It's very emotional.

 

"Just sitting here is really hard for me.

 

"It's quite sore but it’s fine."

 

A BBC1 insider said: "Jade was really upset.

 

"She left it until the last moment to make her decision but she had to think about her career – there was no way she could risk any long-term  damage to her knee."

 

 

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