Will Young will not be replaced on Strictly Come Dancing the BBC has confirmed.
The 37-year-old singer quit the competition on Tuesday night citing “personal reasons”.
Fans called for Tameka Empson to return after she was booted out last weekend, but a BBC spokesperson told Standard Online: “He won't be replaced.”
Young announced his shock departure in a statement on Twitter in which he explained taking part in the show had been a “long time ambition of mine”.
He said: “Unfortunately, I am leaving the show for personal reasons.
"I leave with joy in my heart that I have been able to take part in one of the most loved shows on British television.
“I am so grateful to everyone who works on Strictly from the lighting designer to catering to the production team.
"Strictly truly is the most unique family and I thank them from the bottom of my heart.”
Young was considered to be on of the strongest dancers in the competition and was among the favourites to win.
His dance partner Karen Clifton praised Young and said quitting the show was a difficult decision.
"I'm so sad that Will has decided to quit the show and I know it wasn't an easy decision for him," she tweeted.
"It was great dancing with him, he was such fun to work with and I wish him all the very best for the future."
Strictly Come Dancing 2016
Following the news viewers called for Empson to be reinstated after she lost out to Laura Whitmore in Sunday night's dance-off.
Darcey Bussell was the only judge who opted to save the EastEnders actress after she performed the Tango to The Heat Is On.
Empson's departure sparked a 'racism row' as it came a week after DJ Melvin Odoom was voted out.
A BBC spokesperson addressed the accusations and told The Guardian: “Judges judge the dancing and the dancing alone, not anything else.”
Empson broke down in tears on spin-off show It Takes Two, saying she "had a lot more to give".
Strictly Come Dancing is on BBC One on Saturday night at 6:15pm.
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