Strictly Come Hobbling? Denise Van Outen's dance partner struggles with ankle injury

Denise Van Outen and James Jordan performing during a dress rehearsal last weekend. (PA)

Strictly Come Dancing pro James Jordan faces a race against time to get fit for this weekend's show after missing training with a swollen ankle which left him unable to walk.

His celebrity partner Denise Van Outen has been forced to rehearse with former regular Ian Waite while Jordan tries to regain his fitness.

He has now been ordered to rest the ankle and is hoping he will be well enough to get back into the competition by the weekend.

Jordan was injured before Saturday night's show and he struggled to get through his performance. He later went to hospital to check whether he had fractured it, but was given the all-clear.

His show colleague Aliona Vilani had to take a break for a month after she suffered an ankle injury during the series, and Jordan has already had a bust nose in the past few weeks.

He injured his leg falling down a step shortly before the show and had to get through both his dance with Van Outen and the professional routine.

In a message to fans after his bump he pointed out: "My ankle is getting bigger and bigger."

He has been exchanging jokey banter with Van Outen on Twitter and told her: "Seven years on Strictly, I've never missed a show or training through injury. This year my eye, nose and now ankle. I blame you."

And he vowed to be back on the show this week "even if it kills me".

He added: "I'll be fine soon.... I promise."

Despite his injury he and Van Outen impressed judges enough to top the leaderboard on Saturday night's show.

Jordan's wife Ola had to miss almost a week of rehearsals last month when she had to head home to Poland to visit her mother following a heart attack. On her return she and partner Sid Owen were eliminated following a disastrous performance to Ghostbusters by Ray Parker Jr.

PA