Strictly contestants battle a string of injuries as they undergo gruelling training in preparations for live show

It won’t be long before the nation’s favorite show, Strictly Come Dancing, returns to our screens and the celebrity dancers are deep in rehearsals as they do everything they can to ensure they impress on the dance floor.

However, the long days of training are not easy and this year’s line-up is already struggling with a series of injuries as they prepare for the live shows.

Four of the celebrities have already experienced a horrific injury or painful strain, starting with actress Amanda Abbington who uploaded a gruesome photo of her injury.

The Mr Selfridge star shared a photo of her foot on Instagram as she showed off her huge purple blood blister spreading across the ball of her foot.

The star captioned the post: “Blood blister… So… dancing in heels, if you’re absolutely not a dancer, is clearly a minefield of blisters, but moreover a young man’s game… but otherwise.”

However, Amanda was not to be deterred from the rehearsal room and continued: “Back tomorrow for more shenanigans!”

Love Island star Zara McDermott sympathized with her fellow contestant, saying: ‘Same here… I rub your feet, you rub mine?’

Meanwhile, former Strictly star, former Coronation Street actress Georgia May Foote wrote ‘Omg I just had a flashback’ and Kimberley Wyatt commented: ‘Yassss!!!! Look at those dancing feet’.

Zara’s feet apparently aren’t looking their best either after she suffered a bloody toe during a workout.

Elsewhere, EastEnders star Bobby Brazier has been working extensively with a physio as he stretched in preparation for the demanding routines.

The actor shared a video of himself lying on a massage table while keeping both his ankles in a cross-leg position.

When the physiotherapist instructed the actor to pull his legs towards him, he failed to suppress his giggles as he felt the stretch deepen.

Seemingly enjoying it, the star captioned the clip, “Me and this lady are going to be great friends, sooooo needed.”

Fellow soap star Adam Thomas also didn’t find training easy after revealing she had been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis just days after being announced as a dancer on the show.

The Waterloo Road actor opened up on Instagram last month as he celebrated his 35th birthday.

The star wrote: ‘As much as I act like a child, my body tells a different story…

‘I have been in a lot of pain since January, it started with my knees and then spread to my wrists, fingers and now ankles and toes. I never knew what was going on and eventually, after several blood tests and going back and forth to doctors and hospitals, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis!

‘I thought that was something people would get later in life… but that’s clearly not the case!

He explained: ‘The reason I signed up for Strictly is because I just want to be able to move again, get fit and do it, all with a smile on my face!

‘It really couldn’t have come at a better time. I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason, and I know that the journey I went on was meant to happen, to never take little things in life for granted! …Like running, playing with my kids and just being able to walk without pain!

“I know it’s going to be tough and I definitely have my work cut out for me, but I’m up for the challenge and can’t wait to get on that dance floor!!”

The star gave fans an update on his condition when she showed off his toned body in a post earlier this week.

He wrote: ‘A very rare sight… me with my top off!

“But I have to get comfortable and be uncomfortable!” I’m not in the best shape of my life, but it could be worse.

‘This year has been tough, there’s no doubt about that… but I just have to stay focused now! I’m still struggling and the pain is still there, but I’m putting on a brave face. I have to stay strong!!”

The star revealed that he has taken up swimming to help him with his arthritis and also helps him overcome his body issues.

‘Swimming helps me so much with my arthritis, I mean as much as it kills me when I take off my top and go swimming, I know it helps me and I know it also helps me deal with the problems I have and my body. That’s a good thing!

‘I have a feeling I’m going to get a lot more out of it in the coming months than I expected!! Let’s go’.