Australian singer Delta Goodrem has withdrawn from the October 17, 2026, live edition of Strictly Come Dancing after sustaining a painful rib injury. Medical professionals advised the 41-year-old star to rest. This prompted the BBC dance competition to grant Goodrem and her professional partner, Kai Widdrington, a formal bye into the following week.
The sudden announcement, confirmed on October 12, means Goodrem will miss the highly anticipated Icons Week. The annual themed special features remaining contestants performing routines inspired by music icons. Goodrem had planned to portray Olivia Newton-John during the broadcast, which airs on BBC One and streams on BBC iPlayer.
Speaking via a statement read on the spin-off show It Takes Two, Goodrem shared her disappointment. ‘I’m absolutely gutted that a rib injury means I won’t be able to dance on Strictly this week,’ she said. ‘I’ve been loving every second of this experience, so having to sit this one out is heartbreaking-especially after the high of Saturday night.’ She added that she intends to focus entirely on resting to return to the dancefloor soon.
Strictly Rules and Leaderboard Success
A spokesperson for Strictly Come Dancing confirmed that Goodrem’s temporary exit aligns with the program’s rules. Because medical advice necessitates her absence, the automatic bye ensures she and Widdrington remain in the contest without facing elimination, giving her crucial recovery time.
The injury comes at a bittersweet moment for the Australian performer, who topped the leaderboard just days prior. During week two, Goodrem and Widdrington delivered a standout Salsa to a medley of Jocelyn Brown and Chaka Khan’s ‘Always There’ and ‘Ain’t Nobody’. The energetic routine earned rave reviews from the judges. Judge Motsi Mabuse praised its highlights, and Craig Revel Horwood described it as ‘a-may-zing’. The performance secured a series-high score of 33 points.
Despite the setback, Goodrem expressed her intention to support her fellow competitors from the sidelines. Fans and production staff are hopeful that her recovery will proceed smoothly, allowing her to rejoin the couples when the competition resumes next week.
