Reality TV
ITV/Rex Features
The 49-year-old professional skater will not perform his regular opening dance with his partner Jayne Torvill on this Sunday's show. Torvill will perform the intro routine for the show on her own.
Dean is undergoing a keyhole operation to deal with damaged knee cartilage, ruling him out of appearing on the ice for a minimum of a week.
The skater, who will still appear on the reality show as a mentor, told The Mirror: "I will be back on the ice very soon.
"It'll be odd for me to see Jayne skate on her own."
Torvill said: "I've skated with Chris since I was 15, and he's always there to give my hand a little squeeze before we start. I might feel lonely out on my own.
"But Chris has choreographed my routine and I swear he's given me one that's harder than ever."
More: Reality TV, Dancing on Ice
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