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George Clarke on Strictly: Star Reveals Secret Injury Battle in Early Weeks BBC Entertainment Correspondent Social media star George Clarke, one of the leading contestants in the current series of Strictly Come Dancing, has revealed he performed his critically acclaimed Week Two routine while managing a hidden back injury that severely limited his rehearsal time. The YouTuber and podcaster, who is partnered with new professional Alexis Warr, disclosed the physical struggle on his podcast, The Useless Hotline, stating he intentionally chose to keep the injury confidential from the BBC broadcast's pre-dance video segments (VT) to avoid influencing the judges’ scores or public perception. The revelation offers an insight into the demanding physical toll the competition takes on participants, even in its early stages. Mr. Clarke, known to his followers as 'George Clarkey', detailed that he suffered a pinched nerve in his back early in the training week leading up to his Paso Doble performance. The injury occurred following an attempt at an advanced acrobatic move. "I was like, 'I'll throw in a handstand or something,'" Clarke explained on his podcast. "I did that and got up and went, 'My back hurts a little bit actually. Ah, I've got a little twinge in there somehow. I'll try to carry on. '" However, the pain quickly escalated, forcing him to halt rehearsals.
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Over the course of the week, the 25-year-old required intensive medical attention to continue training, including multiple sessions of physiotherapy and acupuncture. This meant he had less time to master the complex, high-energy Spanish routine before taking to the floor on Saturday night. A Difficult Week Leads to Success Despite the physical setback, Clarke and Warr delivered a striking and powerful Paso Doble performance to "Game of Survival" by Ruelle, which earned them an impressive score of 30 points from the judging panel, placing them joint second on the Week Two leaderboard. They were safely voted through to the next round of the competition by the public. Clarke stated that his decision to conceal the extent of his back pain stemmed from a desire for objectivity. "I didn't want it to be a thing on the night. That's why they asked in the VT, they were like, 'Do you want to mention your back?' and I said, 'I don't want it to be a thing,'" he said, highlighting the pressure contestants face to present a seamless narrative on the show. His professional partner, Alexis Warr, commented on the frustration they faced during a crucial training period. Monday and Tuesday are typically used to grasp the new choreography and technique. "It would get to the point where I'm getting it then I had to sit down because my back was hurting," Clarke admitted, detailing the stop-start nature of their preparation. Rising Status and Fan Reaction Mr.
Clarke, who rose to prominence through his large following on platforms like TikTok and YouTube, has been widely regarded by viewers as one of the surprise contenders of the 23rd series. His strong technical scores in the opening weeks have prompted some to tip him as a potential 'frontrunner', a sentiment echoed by Head Judge Shirley Ballas. The pressure to perform remains high as the competition enters its third week, which is dedicated to Movie Week. The couple's upcoming routine is a Couples Choice dance to "Soda Pop" from the animated film K-pop Demon Hunters. The song announcement on the Sunday results show prompted immediate reaction from fans online, not only due to Clarke’s visibly confused, yet enthusiastic, on-air response to the unfamiliar track, but also due to the routine's classification. The "Couples Choice" category is highly anticipated as it typically gives celebrities the freedom to choose a style and theme highly personal to them. Writing on social media platforms, some viewers expressed disappointment that the Couples Choice was tied to a specific movie soundtrack, thereby limiting the creative freedom George Clarke might have exercised. "Okay, Soda Pop being a Couples Choice and George therefore losing his chance to do a REAL Couples Choice. it's kinda sad," one viewer wrote, reflecting a concern that the creative parameters had been constrained by a commercially successful film property. However, the couple remains committed to the challenge. Ms.
Warr expressed confidence in her partner's approach, noting his dedication throughout the initial weeks. During an interview on the BBC Two spin-off show It Takes Two, Ms. Warr observed her partner's commitment during the Paso Doble, stating that she knew he was "locked in" from the moment the music began. She added that she nearly missed her cue because she was so impressed by his focus. Outlook George Clarke’s experience underscores the rigorous demands of professional ballroom training and the dedication required to perform at an elite level under duress. The need for constant medical management and a reduced rehearsal schedule provides a challenging backdrop to his continued involvement in the competition. As the couple prepares for Movie Week, the focus will be on whether Clarke can maintain his high scoring trajectory while navigating the physical demands and managing the fan expectations surrounding his song choice. His ability to perform a dynamic Paso Doble despite a debilitating injury suggests a deep commitment to the Strictly journey, regardless of the hurdles. Meet George Clarke, the BBC Strictly 2025 contestant.
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