Rufus Hound has announced that he has left ITV1's Dancing on Ice.

The comedian/actor made a statement on social media and via YouTube.

He said: "I will no longer be participating in @dancingonice COVID is - as I'm sure we're all well aware - a bastard and sadly the world isn't short of those."

In a six minute YouTube clip he said: "I want to say two things. Firstly that I will no longer be participating in Dancing on Ice." He explained that he had been quarantining after coming into contact with someone who had Covid but it turned out that he had also had Covid. "Unfortunately the rules are very strict and they need to keep everybody as safe as possible." He said he thought there might be a window of opportunity to get back to the show after quarantining, but it's "a window which I now know doesn't exist. That's it. That is the reason I'm not on Dancing on Ice...and that sucks."

The other thing he wanted to touch on "that also sucks," was the way various journalists have encouraged their readership "to think of me as scum" because of things he has tweeted in the past. He explained that there was more to it than saying sorry and that was why he has not deleted his Twitter feed. It's about "owning your shit." 

He also criticised the press for sending journalists to his parents' house, particularly during the pandemic: "They were out to get me," he added. "Please know that this is not your victory. Or if it is your victory please know that you are technically on the same side as a virus."

This is the show's statement: "We can confirm that following a positive test result, Rufus Hound is unable to return to Dancing On Ice this weekend. Although Rufus and his partner Robin’s time on the ice has been all too brief, they can be truly proud of their achievements.

Watch Rufus Hound announce he is leaving Dancing on Ice.

Picture: ITV