Greg Rutherford Misses BAFTAs Due to Whooping Cough
Greg Rutherford, the retired athlete and Dancing On Ice star, missed the BAFTAs held at London's Royal Festival Hall on Sunday due to ongoing struggles with whooping cough. The 37-year-old athlete has experienced a series of health challenges since appearing on ITV's Dancing On Ice. During rehearsals, Rutherford sustained a severe injury, tearing his abdomen and necessitating surgery.
Rutherford explained on Instagram that recovery has been slow, noting that the persistent coughing fits have left him unable to engage in enjoyable activities. His fiancée, Susie Verrill, shared that both Rutherford and their daughter have been unwell, although only Rutherford was diagnosed with whooping cough.
In a recent update, Rutherford displayed red patches on his skin on social media, mentioning discomfort after applying zinc, and also appealed to his friends to contact him via Instagram after breaking his phone. Despite these challenges, he expressed optimism about regaining fitness and shared his intention to resume training once fully recovered.
Additionally, Susie Verrill revealed that their family dog, Gus, has been diagnosed with terminal cancer, adding to their recent difficulties. Nonetheless, the family is focusing on enjoying their remaining time with Gus, making the best of their current circumstances.
Rutherford had to forgo the Dancing On Ice final due to his injury. While a bittersweet moment, he expressed pride in his performances on the show and remains hopeful about returning to the ice in the future.