Strictly Come Dancing's Natalie Gumede ordered 'to rest'

Strictly Come Dancing contestant Natalie Gumede has been ordered to rest after being taken to hospital following a fainting episode during rehearsals.

A Strictly spokesman said the former Coronation Street actress, 29, would see a doctor on Monday.

Gumede was checked by the Strictly medical team on site and then taken to A&E after falling ill before Saturday's live show.

She will be allowed to continue in next week's show if she is well enough.

One celebrity will still leave on Sunday, the show confirmed.

In their last performance on Saturday 2 November, Gumede and dance partner Artem Chigvintsev, finished four points ahead of their nearest rivals.

The pair finished with 38 points from the show's judges four points ahead of Patrick Robinson, Abbey Clancy and Susanna Reid.

'Old bones'

A BBC spokesman said: "Natalie Gumede will not perform in tonight's Strictly Come Dancing after fainting twice during rehearsals today.

"She has been checked by the medical team on site, and will be going to A&E as a precaution."

The spokesman said that in accordance with the show's rules, Gumede would still go through to next week's show.

Presenter Claudia Winkleman said that if Gumede was passed medically fit she would dance next week in Blackpool.

At the beginning of the show, host Tess Daly confirmed Gumede had been taken ill and would not be dancing.

The soap star, who had been due to perform a jive to Tina Turner's hit Proud Mary, had tweeted earlier on Saturday: "The old bones are tired today."

But she added: "Channeling Tina will get me through. Gotta make Mary Proud! #scd".

First 10s

A medic revealed more about Gumede's collapse, saying, "I was radioed to come to the dancefloor where Natalie had collapsed. It became apparent that she had fainted."

And Chigvintsev said of his dance partner: "She was shaking a lot and crying. I am just gutted for her. She is doing such a great job and I just want to say 'Please get better'."

Last week the first 10s of the series were awarded to the actress, best known for portraying Kirsty Soames in Coronation Street, and her partner Artem for their Viennese waltz.

Last month, Gumede missed rehearsals for the 19 October show because of an injury.

She had an MRI scan to see if she had slipped a disc in her back, but was later given the all-clear.

Gumede, from Burnley, is currently one of the favourites to win the dancing competition.

Strictly drew its biggest audience of the series so far last week with an average of 10 million tuning in on Saturday - maintaining its lead over ITV rival The X Factor, which drew 7.9 million viewers.