Dani Dyer Withdraws from Strictly Come Dancing After Ankle Fracture; BBC Leaves Door Open for Return
Love Island winner fractures ankle in training, prompting withdrawal before the premiere; show says the door remains open for her to return next year as lineup shakes continue.
Dani Dyer has withdrawn from Strictly Come Dancing after fracturing her ankle in training, the BBC confirmed Tuesday. The 29-year-old former Love Island winner was slated to compete this season with professional partner Nikita Kuzmin and was among the signings anticipated to propel the lineup. In a statement, BBC insiders said the door would be left open for Dyer to return to the ballroom next year, acknowledging the disappointment surrounding her exit and the broader pressure on the cast and production.
The Daily Mail reported that the injury occurred during a Friday training session, with Dyer later confirming in a statement that she had fractured her ankle following a fall. She said doctors advised against dancing, particularly the quickstep, and she would not be able to participate in this year’s competition. Dyer described herself as heartbroken and noted she would miss dancing with Kuzmin but would be watching and cheering on the other couples.
BBC Studios Executive Producer Sarah James expressed sorrow over the withdrawal, noting that Dyer had brought passion and enthusiasm to the show and that the partnership with Kuzmin had been off to a sensational start. James added that everyone on Strictly was sad she could not compete this year, and the team hoped to welcome her back to the ballroom in the future.
As with many Strictly seasons, the question of a replacement has not yet been resolved. The show has previously filled a vacancy after an early withdrawal, most notably in 2019 when Jamie Laing pulled out during the launch episode and Kelvin Fletcher stepped in to win the series with Oti Mabuse. The current year’s lineup has already been unsettled by other issues, including Kristian Nairn’s own withdrawal for medical reasons before the first live show. While speculated replacements circulate in tabloids, no official replacement has been announced, and producers have stressed that no decisions have been made yet.
Dyer’s withdrawal echoes a familiar pattern in her public life. Before winning Love Island in 2018 with then-partner Jack Fincham, she first gained attention on the ITV2 survival reality series Survival of the Fittest, which was cut short after she dislocated her shoulder on the first day. The recent Strictly setback is the latest chapter in a career defined by high-profile television appearances and abrupt exits due to injury.
Dyer’s path to Strictly Come Dancing had been a bright spot amid early-season controversies surrounding the show. The network has faced a string of pre-premiere headlines, from on-set injuries to casting rumors and star withdrawals, during the late-summer build-up. For now, the production is pivoting as it navigates the evolving lineup and the health needs of its participants, with the BBC reiterating its intention to support Dyer and potentially welcome her back in future seasons if she recovers in time.
Dyer indicated she will remain engaged with the show from home, supporting Kuzmin and the rest of the cast while focusing on her recovery. The situation highlights the demanding nature of Strictly Come Dancing training and the delicate balance the program maintains between high-level competition and the health and safety of its celebrities.