He’s charmed viewers with his down-to-earth attitude and impressive performances with dance partner Amy Dowden.
But, JJ Chalmers, 33, has been secretly battling through pain after a piece of shrapnel embedded in his leg became infected, shortly before his Strictly Come Dancing stint began.
The star, who was injured in a bomb blast while serving in Afghanistan, has been managing the infection since the beginning of the series, but the pain intensified again this week.
Ouch! JJ Chalmers, 33, has been secretly battling through pain after a piece of shrapnel embedded in his leg became infected, shortly before his Strictly Come Dancing stint began
A source told the Mirror the flair up could be down to the ‘constant rubbing’ associated with practising the Viennese Waltz, which he is performing this week with partner Amy Dowden.
But JJ told the publication: ‘Whilst there’s a level of pain and sensitivity with it, it’s not anything I’m not used to… These are just the genuine side effects of being alive, that’s the simplest way I can put it.
‘Until it gets to you know, an unbearable point or a really discomforting point, I’m not going to allow it to stop me doing what I love doing. And right now that’s dancing.
‘But on the flip side, it might seem quite alarming to people that I’ve done most of this competition with an infection in my leg but that’s just the reality of what happens with this particular piece of shrapnel until they remove it.’
Painful: The star, who was injured in a bomb blast while serving in Afghanistan, has been managing the infection since the start of the series, but the pain intensified again this week
Innovative: The news of his infected leg comes as it was revealed that Strictly’s wardrobe team have made an adult babygrow to stop him flashing viewers while dancing in a kilt this weekend
The news of his infected leg comes as it was revealed that Strictly’s wardrobe team have made an adult babygrow to stop him flashing viewers while dancing in a kilt this weekend.
The Scottish ex-Royal Marines Commando told The Sun: ‘A lot of people are asking if I’m going to be a true Scotsman or if I’m going to be going commando — which I’m entitled to both I suppose!
‘Wardrobe have sewn underwear into the bottom of my shirt. This ensures there will be no wardrobe malfunction on the night.
‘This being the Viennese waltz, there’s a lot of spinning. I’ve practiced in my kilt and it does rise up slightly.’
Cameo: Prince Harry, 36, surprised Strictly Come Dancing viewers during a recent appearance on the show to wish his friend JJ Chalmers good luck by video
Surprise: The royal, made his first public appearance in the UK since he and his wife Meghan Markle stepped down as senior members of the royal family earlier this year
A couple of weeks ago, Prince Harry, 36, surprised Strictly Come Dancing viewers as he made an appearance on Saturday night’s show to wish his JJ good luck by video.
The Duke of Sussex made his first TV appearance in the UK since he and his wife Meghan Markle stepped down as senior members of the royal family earlier this year.
Prince Harry greeted JJ and professional dancer Amy Dowden on video, saying: ‘Nice tan JJ! When I first met JJ he was a shell of himself but then to see you shine through Invictus and to be yourself again, that was the start of an amazing journey.’
JJ, who performed a jive to Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy by Bette Midler, told viewers: ‘The simple fact is, if Prince Harry had not created the Invictus Games, I wouldn’t have had that moment to change my life forever.’
JJ told viewers: ‘The simple fact is, if Prince Harry had not created the Invictus Games, I wouldn’t have had that moment to change my life forever’ (pictured with Amy Dowden)
Friendship: Prince Harry and JJ met following the Royal Marine’s injuries after an explosion when he was serving in Afghanistan
Harry then added: ‘You’re definitely having an impact on society now especially when you’re wearing those tight blue shorts and the socks pulled up.
‘It doesn’t get better than that! I’m genuinely proud. You’re not a dancer, proving that you can actually do whatever you put your mind to which is amazing.’
Prince Harry and JJ met following the Royal Marine’s service in Afghanistan where he was injured in a bomb blast in 2011, with the pair bonding over their shared experiences in the armed forces.
JJ said that he ‘should be in a box in the ground’ after nearly dying when an IED exploded near him causing him to suffer a crushed eye socket, burst eardrums and the loss of two fingers.
Harry said: ‘When I first met JJ he was a shell of himself but then to see you shine through Invictus and to be yourself again, that was the start of an amazing journey’
The TV presenter joined the Royal Marines Reserve in 2005 before quitting teaching and transferring to the regular service in 2010.
JJ formed such a close friendship with Harry that he and his wife Kornelia were invited to all three parts of his wedding to Meghan in May 2018.
Harry helped JJ during his recovery and the paralympic athlete later took part in the Invictus Games where he took home a gold medal in cycling.