Muscle tear: Bitter end for the “Dancing Stars” couple

Four dancing couples would have competed in the semifinals of “Dancing Stars” on Friday evening to dance for entry into the grand finale on May 12th. However, a couple had to announce their exit at the beginning of the show: “Soko Donau” star Lilian Klebow and Florian Gschaider were considered the big favorites for the title, but surprisingly had to give up. Just a few hours before the live show, Gschaider sustained an injury playing Paso Doble. Recordings from the last rehearsal showed how the man from Salzburg suddenly had to stop dancing with a pained face – diagnosis: torn muscle in the buttocks. The healing takes four to six weeks, says the 43-year-old, making it impossible for the contenders to continue dancing.

“Get out of here as a team”

Klebow refused a wild card for the final and competing with another dance professional. “I decided against it because we started here as a team and leave here as a team,” said the actress with tears: “Such a wonderful person and coach as Florian is irreplaceable.”

Dance school boss Maria Santner-Angelini paid tribute to the couple: “You have shown sensational performances on the floor week after week. You were absolute favorites for the title for me. It’s really a shame about this end.”

Particularly bitter: For Gschaider, this was his last season as a professional dancer with “Dancing Stars” after twelve years. The multiple Austrian state champion, who also won the dance show in 2016 with presenter Verena Scheitz, would certainly have wished for a nicer farewell.

So the three remaining dance couples were qualified for the final yesterday evening and no one had to leave the show. Dancing for the title “Dancing Stars 2023” next Friday: singer and actress Missy May and Dimitar Stefanin, the former ski jumping coach Alexander Pointner and Manuela Stöckl and racing commentator Corinna Kamper and Danilo Campisi.

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• “Dancing Stars” in the ORF TV library