Derek Hough, the most awarded pro dancer in "Dancing With the Stars," suffered a severe toe injury during practice early this week and his future in the competition's season 20 is currently uncertain.
The five-time Mirror Ball trophy awardee documented his scary hospital trip in his Instagram account, saying that despite being able to rehearse with partner Nastia Liukin for the long-running celebrity dance competition while performing 10 shows at the Radio City weekly for the New York Spring Spectacular Show, he never thought that a single freak accident would force him to quit dancing for awhile.
"A fluke accident happened that involved a light and some stairs. Can't believe it, wish I had a cooler story to tell," the 29-year-old dancer told his Instagram followers next to a photo of his broken toe.
Hough was practicing with his former partner Maria Menounos for a special "DWTS" season 20 episode when the accident happened. He apparently hurt himself after he smashed his foot on a piece of light equipment, which was then aggravated further when he fell down the stairs in an attempt to get ice to put on his foot.
Hough was accompanied to the hospital by fellow "DWTS" pro dancer Mark Ballas, the latter's father Corky Ballas, and friend BC Jean, who stayed with him until 2 a.m. The dancer's current health condition may force him to sit out the competition temporarily, which means that Liukin will have no partner in the upcoming episodes.
However, International Business Times reported that "DWTS" season 17's former pro dancer Sasha Farber is rumored to replace Hough to help the Olympic gymnast win the coveted Mirror Ball trophy this season. Farber's last partner was reality show star Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, but they were voted off during Week 17 of "DWTS" season 17.
At the moment, fans of the dancing reality show are still waiting for more updates about Hough's status in season 20.
