Denise Van Outen had to have her larynx removed after a fall during Strictly Horror so that doctors could examine her spine

Denise Van Outen has described in detail how surgeons had to remove her larynx to gain access to her spine after she suffered a heart attack during her deployment to Be sure to come and dance.

The presenter and singer was taking part in the 2012 season of the BBC dance show when she fell on her head in a horrific training accident.

Speaking to Lorraine Kelly about the incident, Denise revealed that doctors were worried she would never sing again after the operation.

“I fell, hit my head and sprained my neck,” said Denise.

“I had a triple herniated disc and had to take steroids for the final of Strictly Come Dancing. I don’t know how I got through that.

“I had a major operation and they had to remove my larynx. They were afraid I would never be able to sing again because after an operation like that you can get a hoarse voice.”

She continued: “The rehabilitation took quite a long time, but I kept it very private because even though I travel a lot and talk about things, there are some things in my life that I like to keep private.

“I wasn’t looking for public pity, I just wanted to achieve my own healing.

“I’m fine now. I have a small scar on my neck, so I get asked quite often on TV where the scar came from.”

Despite her injury, Denise competed in the final of Strictly with her professional partner James Jordan. The pair finished in second place alongside Kimberley Walsh and Pasha Kovalev, while Louis Smith and Flavia Cacace won the 2012 series.

This is not the only television show where Denise has been injured. Last year she had to leave Dancing On Ice early after breaking her shoulder during training.

She withdrew from the show after doctors told her that the injury would severely limit her training.

This article originally appeared on HuffPost UK and has been updated.

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