Strictly star Amanda Abbington was pictured looking tired and with a downcast expression on her face as she left rehearsals separately from her pro partner Giovanni Pernice this week.
Strictly Come Dancing fans were then dealt a heartbreaking blow just hours before the fifth live show of the series, when it was revealed that Amanda would no longer be taking part this weekend.
The news broke late on Friday evening, when It Takes Two host Janette Manrara explained that Amanda had pulled out due to medical reasons.
The announcement came just days after Amanda was pictured looking exhausted as she left the rehearsals for the BBC dancing competition.
Amanda, who was one of the first stars to be revealed for this year's Strictly line-up, looked shattered and appeared to have a lot on her mind earlier this week in newly released pics.
She kept things casual in grey tracksuit bottoms and a navy blue hooded jumper while she kept her hair scraped back from her face with a simple black headband.
The star, who is best known for her roles as the mysterious Mary Morstan in Sherlock and Josie Mardle in Mr Selfridge, appeared to go make-up free during her training session.
But within just days of being pictured, it was announced that the actress wouldn't be performing this weekend.
On It Takes Two, host Janette told viewers: "We have some breaking news, unfortunately due to medical reasons, Amanda will not be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this weekend.
"Strictly Come Dancing protocols mean that all being well, Amanda and Giovanni will return the following week. Amanda we hope you get well soon my love, sending you all the best wishes!"
The decision to temporarily withdraw will likely be a crushing blow to the couple, who have been continuing to impress both the judging panel and audiences at home with their phenomenal dance skills.
In the first week of the competition, the couple danced their way to the upper end of the leaderboard, with a score of 29 points, before excelling week after week, with scores of 32, 30 and 31.
The decision to withdraw on health grounds now means that viewers will have to to miss out on Amanda and Giovanni's highly anticipated Cha-Cha to Canned Heat by Jamiroquai.
But they are far from the only couple to have experienced a few health issues this week, as fellow contestant Adam Thomas was also struck down with a vicious case of winter flu.
The Waterloo Road star was reportedly 'banned' from entering the Strictly studios to rehearse after he was struck down with the bug.
Adam, 35, took to Instagram earlier in the week to share an update with his one million followers.
Alongside a snap of him lying in bed with his head in his hands, Adam penned: "Of all weeks to be poorly!"
The following morning, Adam said he was using "lots of berocca and coffee" to help him feel better ahead of dance rehearsals with his Strictly partner Luba Mushtuk.
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