HOLLYOAKS actor Ricky Whittle was pipped at the post in the final of Strictly Come Dancing.
The hot favourite to take the crown lost out to underdog BBC sports reporter Chris Hollins.
Whittle topped the judges’ scoreboard, but was less popular with the 11m viewers the BBC said tuned in to watch the dance-off.
The actor, who is quitting the Channel 4 soap next year to try to make his name in Hollywood, last night revealed he had been struggling with an inguinal hernia during the competition.
But he said he kept the problem a secret as he did not want to be dropped from the show or to get sympathy votes from viewers.
Whittle said: “The pain was horrendous but it was my dream to go on the show and I wasn’t going to let an injury stop me.
“I could stay on Hollyoaks forever, because it’s a great family up there, but you do have ambitions in life.
“I’d rather try my ambitions and fail than to never try at all. I think you only regret things you don’t do.
“I think you need to chase your dreams.”
