Steve-O might have to use some of his Jackass-caliber pain tolerance to get through Monday night’s Dancing With the Stars. The 34-year-old jokester suffered a painful back injury believed to be related to his recent salsa rehearsals, but unlike some of the show’s celebrity contestants, he has no plans to withdraw from the competition. “We will dance Monday… He’s in loads of pain,” his dance partner, Lacey Schwimmer told Usmagazine.com Thursday.
Schwimmer told E! that Steve-O has seen four specialists for his back pain. “They all say he has pulled a lot of sciatic nerves and that’s pretty bad,” Schwimmer said. “Everyone who has looked at him has said that it’s not good.” She added: “It would really suck if he had to get out of the competition. But if it doesn’t get better, it is something the show and Steve-o are considering. His health is more important than a TV show. But Steve-O has also told me, ‘There is no way I am going to get out of this.’ He doesn’t care. He’s jumped off buildings. He’ll dance through a few minutes of pain, I’m sure.”
Unfortunately, Schwimmer said that their routine will be without some planned stunts. “We’re not able to do a lot of the tricks and other plans we had hoped for,” Schwimmer said. “Hopefully, if his back gets better we can put them back in. It’s a very fun routine.”
Jewel and Nancy O’Dell had to drop out of the show just days before the season premiere on Monday due to dancing-related injuries. Although an ABC rep did not comment on Steve-O, the spokesperson also said that fellow DWTS contestant Steve Wozniak injured his foot but plans to continue. “He has seen a doctor and is taking precautions and resting his foot whenever he can,” the spokesperson said.