Britain's 'Strictly Come Dancing' inspiring home viewer injuries

British doctors say TV's "Strictly Come Dancing" is snapping tendons, twisting ankles and wrenching knees in fans who try the tricky routines.

ADVERTISEMENT

Dance schools throughout Britain say the number of people taking ballroom classes has doubled since the BBC television celebrity contest took to the air three years ago.

It's also increased the number of emergency room visits for amateur dancers with poor fitness levels, Sammy Margo, a spokeswoman for the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, told Britain's Telegraph.

RELATED LINKS Other Shows Message Boards SirLinksALot: Reality TV More Television News

"In the 1980s and 1990s we saw a lot of knee injuries linked to the craze for step aerobics," Margo said. "Now ballroom has taken off, we see many more ankle and foot injuries."

During the current "Strictly Come Dancing" series, actress Stephanie Beacham hurt her back and actor Matt di Angelo hurt his knee.