James Bye has detailed how he sustained a savage Strictly Come Dancing injury whilst training for the hit BBC ballroom dancing show.
The EastEnders star, who plays Martin Fowler, is starring on the current 20th series of the BBC One soap, partnered with Amy Dowden as he dazzles viewers with his dance techniques.
Despite his new Strictly stint, James has still been busy filming on EastEnders and during last week's show, Amy even headed down to set to see James at work on the soap.
The soap star appeared on It Takes Two, where he told host Rylan that while trying to impress Amy with his fitness skills he caused great damage to his ring finger.
The couple were discussing the preparations for their upcoming dance routine in Movie Week on this Saturday’s show, in which James will be taking on the role of Star-Lord from Guardians of the Galaxy.
He told Rylan how he was aiming to show off his strength during the challenging number – but as he flexed his muscles to partner Amy, he admitted he took things a little too far and was left with his finger almost hanging off.
He said: “I was trying to show Amy how strong I was in the rehearsal room so I did a few pull-ups…” Amy’s laughed in the background as James began to lift his hand into view.
The actor added: “I ripped my finger open,” as audible gasps could be heard from the production crew in the studio.
Host Rylan appeared unable to fathom what James had just said as he repeated: “The finger almost fell off.”
James donned a bloody bandage on his ring finger as he shared: “The wedding ring is sort of the only thing keeping my finger on.”
James kept light-hearted about the situation as he added: “We’ll see how we get on with that one!”
Rylan joked: “He lives another day to tell the tale – that’s what it’s all about,” as the crew laughed on.
This comes after James has explained how his Strictly Come Dancing spray tan will be written into EastEnders, as well as how bosses have been trying to help reduce his hectic filming schedule amid Strictly rehearsals.
While James' fans will no doubt know when he suddenly looks a lot more bronzed, the change in appearance will need to be referenced in the soap for continuity purposes.
James shared the way he plans to reference it in the script, explaining: “I've just put a line in that I've been down to the beach for the weekend.
“I can't not have a spray tan, you're on Strictly, you've got to have a spray tan whether you like it or not.”
