BBC star's devastation after loved one tragically killed in Strictly heartbreak

Stefan Dennis has graced television screens for the past four decades as the 1980s heartthrob in Australian soap Neighbours. The TV actor, 66, who resides in Melbourne, Australia, with his wife Gail opened up about a devastating tragedy leaving him heartbroken. The actor is currently taking part in this year's series of Strictly Come Dancing but was forced to temporarily pull out of the BBC competition last week due to illness.

Stefan previously shared he is still reeling from the loss of his older brother who died when he was just 12 years old. He spoke about his family heartbreak on Channel 5's The Jeremy Vine Show in 2019. He revealed he had been fighting for tougher punishments to be handed to drink-drivers in Australia and called for the same in the UK.

It comes after the amateur dancer's brother was tragically killed when he was knocked off his bike and killed by an intoxicated driver.

The driver was fined just $200 Australian dollars (£98).

He told Jeremy: "My brother was killed by a drink-driver when he was 12 years old on his bicycle."

Revealing the shocking fine the driver received, he added: "That same weekend somebody killed a koala. They weren't drunk but because koalas are protected species, they got something like five times that fine."

Stefan continued: "The repercussions of somebody's actions of getting behind the wheel on drugs or drink is devastating to the people involved. This happened decades and decades ago, but it still affects me. In fact, I'm more affected today than I was back then, because I was just a little kid then."

Meanwhile, the Neighbours actor was given a bye through to this week's edition of Strictly after he pulled out on Saturday night (October 11) due to illness.

He missed out on Movie Week in which Lorraine star Ross King was given the boot.

Stefan had been due to perform a Waltz to It Is You (I Have Loved) from Shrek alongside dance partner Dianne Buswell.

However, the actor will be returning to the dancefloor this weekend following his recovery.