Week one dances revealed as Strictly Come Dancing confirms line-up after Dani Dyer injury

Strictly Come Dancing returned for its first live show of the season on Friday as the week one dances and music were revealed in the wake of Dani Dyer stepping down due to injury. The show’s official Instagram account posted a clip that features each pairing in a brief snippet, giving fans their first glimpse of the floor routines and the music selections for the opening night. In a parallel development, producers confirmed that there will be no eliminations in week one, a common practice this early in a season to accommodate any last minute changes and ensure a smooth launch even as performers adjust to live performance demands.

The clip lays out a diverse slate of pairings and styles. Vicky Pattison is slated to perform a Cha Cha Cha to Ella Eyre’s Best Of My Love, a routine Pattison has described as spicy and one she has been training hard to execute. Thomas Skinner and pro partner Amy Dowden will tackle a Paso Doble to Hotei’s Battle Without Honour Or Humanity, while Drag Race star La Voix will bring an American Smooth to Pink Pony Club by Chappell Roan. Other notable pairings include Alex Kingston performing the Viennese Waltz to Michael Bublé’s Cry Me A River, and Chris Robshaw taking on a Samba to EMF’s Unbelievable. Ellie Goldstein will team with pro Vito Coppola for a Cha Cha Cha to Ariana Grande’s Yes, And, and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is set for a Quick Step to The Fratellis’ Chelsea Dagger.

Ross King is scheduled to dance a Cha Cha Cha to Katy Perry’s California Girls, while Stefan Dennis will Foxtrot to the Neighbours theme tune. Lewis Cope will Jive to The Temptations’ Get Ready, and TikTok star George Clarke will perform an American Smooth to Myles Smith’s Stargazing. Balvinder Sopal is assigned a Samba to KC and the Sunshine Band’s Shake Your Booty, and Harry Aikines-Aryeetey aka Gladiator will take on the Cha Cha Cha to Salt N Pepa’s Push It. Karen Carney rounds out the lineup with a Jive to Blondie’s One Way or Another. The official post also confirms Amber Davies as the new star joining Strictly in place of Dani Dyer.

The reveal comes amid a period of disruption for the show. Dani Dyer, a fan favorite, was forced to withdraw after fracturing her ankle during a Friday training session. She later posted a statement explaining that doctors advised against dancing on a fracture, leaving her heartbroken about missing out on the competition. The Daily Mail reported the fracture occurred before she had a chance to perform a routine with Nikita Kuzmin, her original partner. The launch show had been pre-recorded prior to her injury, and Dani had already appeared on the opening episode to confirm her pairing with Kuzmin. BBC executives stressed that the door remains open for a return from Dyer in a future season, underscoring the show’s willingness to adapt when an injury occurs.

In the wake of Dyer’s withdrawal, show bosses moved quickly to fill the vacancy. It was later announced that Amber Davies would join the line-up as the replacement contestant. Shirley Ballas, the head judge, indicated on an appearance on This Morning that the production team were hustling to find a solution and that the plan could accommodate keeping two dancers on one path or altering the opening elimination format to fit the new lineup. The timing of Davies’s addition and the decision to proceed with a week one lineup reflect a broader strategy to maintain momentum while safeguarding the health of participants.

The challenges facing Strictly this season are not new to the franchise. Dani Dyer is not the first participant to withdraw before the first live broadcast in recent memory; Kristian Nairn also pulled out for medical reasons earlier in the year. The show’s producers have emphasized a flexible approach, aiming to preserve the competitive balance and entertainment value while ensuring performers are not put at risk. As the season unfolds, fans will be watching closely to see how the revised cast adapts to the studio rhythm, the pressure of live performance, and the evolving dynamics of partner pairings.

Dyer, who is a mother of three and was married to footballer Jarrod Bowen, rose to prominence on Love Island and has since branched into various entertainment projects. Her early exit has added a layer of anticipation around Amber Davies’s entry and how the audience reception might shape the competition in the weeks ahead. The show’s leadership has stressed their commitment to a fair and inclusive competition while prioritizing the health and safety of all participants. As the new week begins, viewers will see how the reopened door for a potential return from Dyer interacts with Davies’s fresh participation and the continued performance schedule of the remaining couples.