Strictly Come Dancing hosts address Delta Goodrem being forced to miss this week’s show amid her rib injury as they send their well wishes to the star

Strictly Come Dancing hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe shared their well wishes to Delta Goodrem as she was forced to miss Saturday’s show due to injury.

It was confirmed on Monday that the singer, 41, had been forced to stop training after injuring her rib and will be given a bye until next week.

And addressing the Australian star’s absence, Emma told how it was ‘such a shame’ for her to be missing out on Icon’s Week, as she explained to viewers what happened and reiterated that the rules meant she’d be able to dance again next week. 

Meanwhile, Johannes added: ‘Delta my darling, I know you’re watching at home, we’re all sending you so much love!’

Doctors have advised Delta to get as much rest as possible and have told her to sleep upright to aid the recovery.  

On Monday Delta will sit down with bosses and medics to decide if she is fit to return to the show. Strictly rules dictate that contestants are only allowed one free pass before they have to withdraw from the competition.

It was confirmed on Monday that the singer, 41, had been forced to stop training after injuring her rib and will be given a bye until next week

Insiders have revealed that Delta injured herself during training last week but managed to perform her Salsa, which involved some complicated lifts, on last Saturday’s live show.

The singer and Kai went on to top the leaderboard for a second week as they performed to Always There/Ain’t Nobody by Jocelyn Brown/Chaka Khan. 

Hours later though and Delta was taken to A&E after she struggled to sleep through the pain. 

Meanwhile it’s been confirmed that Amy Dowden, who was voted out of the competition with her celeb partner Chris Appleton in week one, is set to return this Saturday, teaming up with Kai for a performance to Dolly Parton’s Jolene. 

Week four of Strictly saw the remaining couples take to the dancefloor for Icons Week, where they performed routines to songs by musical greats including Elton John, Shania Twain, ABBA and Adele. 

Taking on the challenge first was John Nellis and Katya Jones performing a Paso Doble to It’s My Life by Bon Jovi.

An excited Motsi gushed; ‘I love your spine!’ adding that she ‘loved the shaping and your spine, you weren’t a little raisin, you were a big grape, but I wanted a little more flow.’

And addressing the Australian star’s absence, Emma told how it was ‘such a shame’ for her to be missing out on Icon’s Week

On Monday Delta will sit down with bosses and medics to decide if she is fit to return to the show. Strictly rules dictate that contestants are only allowed one free pass before they have to withdraw

Taking on the challenge first was John Nellis and Katya Jones performing a Paso Doble to It’s My Life by Bon Jovi

An excited Motsi gushed; ‘I love your spine!’ while Shirley noted that she loved John’s ‘continuous movement’. The pair received a decent 29 points by the judges

Next up were Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin, who slowed things down with a Rumba to Hero by Mariah Carey

Dani was visibly nervous during the routine, admitting afterward that she’d had a tough time this week as she struggled with her confidence

Her confidence no doubt got a boost as she was supported in the audience by her actor father Danny Dyer, who was sitting alongside fellow hard man actor Ray Winstone

Shirley noted that she loved John’s ‘continuous movement’, while Anton made reference to John’s recent diminishing scores as he said: ‘welcome back from week one.’

John and Katya’s efforts paid off as they received a decent 29 points by the judges. 

Next up were Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin, who slowed things down with a Rumba to Hero by Mariah Carey.

Dani was visibly nervous during the routine, admitting afterward that she’d had a tough time this week as she struggled with her confidence. 

Her confidence no doubt got a boost as she was supported in the audience by her actor father Danny Dyer, who was sitting alongside fellow hard man actor Ray Winstone.  

Anton remarked that he ‘enjoyed it a lot, you were a bit reserved but underneath was a lot of good stuff’, Shirley noted she ‘handled’ the nerves while Motsi pointed out that her relationship with Nikita had grown.

The former Love Island star and Nikita were awarded 25 points in total.  

Last week’s live show saw judge Motsi Mabuse seemingly hit back at rumours of tensions between herself and Josh Widdicombe as she made a cheeky remark.

During week two viewers started to notice a simmering ‘tension’ between Motsi and Josh, as they suggested the judge had ‘had enough of the comedian interrupting her with his jokes’. 

However, as week three kicked off, Motsi attempted to dispel the speculation as she insisted that Josh was her ‘friend’.

Following Cach Mercer’s routine, Josh quipped that he and Emma Willis were ‘dancers’ and as he directed his joke towards Motsi, she responded by remarking: ‘Yes Josh, my FRIEND!’

Her not-so-subtle comment saw Josh roar with laughter as the rest of the audience giggled along, causing fans to pick up on the moment on X.

Meanwhile, the latest instalment of Strictly saw fans note that Johannes Radebe is really ‘settling’ into his role as they finally begin to warm to the hosting trio.

The former show professional dancer, as well as his co-hosts Emma Willis and Josh have come under fire since the first live show’s presenting format was panned by fans – with Josh branded a ‘spare part.’

Viewers noted that the South African dancer, 39, began talking when the couples were making their way up the stairs to the ‘Clauditorium’ amid the audience applause, meaning fans were unable to hear what was being said. 

And while week two saw many complain that the format was not switched up, week three finally saw viewers begin to thaw to the trio, particularly Johannes. 

Elsewhere, Strictly’s judges clashed during last week’s show as Craig Revel Horwood labelled head judge Shirley Ballas ‘a fun sponge’ for her ‘harsh’ critique.

Whilst Craig is notoriously the toughest judge on the  BBC show, viewers pointed out that Shirley was dishing out more low scores and getting more boos from the live studio audience as the celebs took to the floor for a third time.

Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb and his partner Jowita Przystał’s Rumba was singled out by Shirley, who is known as the ‘queen of Rumba’.

The head judge moaned it was ‘not my cup of tea, flat-footed, and too much standing around’, explaining she had awarded an extra point for ‘hitting one nice line’. 

Anton Du Beke disagreed with Shirley’s criticisms and confirmed he ‘liked that style of Rumba’, before Craig branded her a ‘fun sponge’ as he praised ‘talented’ Lawrence’s ‘great storytelling’.

Motsi then joked of the tension between Craig and Shirley: ‘I feel like a child having to help my parents through a divorce.’ 

Week three’s results show saw Gavin and Stacey favourite Melanie Walters and her partner Aljaz Skorjanec leave the competition after losing out in the dance off against former footballer Shaun Wright- Phillips and Alexis Warr.

They were the second couple to be given the boot from the show following the first elimination which saw celebrity hairdresser Chris Appleton and Amy Dowden depart. 

Strictly Come Dancing results will air on Sunday at 7.10pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. 

STRICTLY COME DANCING 2026: MEET THE CONTESTANTS

LACEY TURNER 

AGE: 38

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Stacey Slater on BBC’s EastEnders 

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’m so excited and terrified at the same time but I’ve had so many friends do Strictly and I thought it was about time that I plunked up the courage and made my way onto that dance floor.’

DELTA GOODREM

AGE: 41

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Played Nina Tucker in Neighbours and has released eight music albums

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career – from tv, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor!’

CACH MERCER

AGE: 25

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Won Love Island 2025 and is a TikTok influencer

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!’

DAME SARAH STOREY

AGE: 48

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Britain’s most successful Paralympian 

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.’

BETHANY ANTONIA 

AGE: 28

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Lady Baela Targaryen in House of the Dragon

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill.’

GRAEME ‘THE DOGFATHER’ HALL

AGE: 59

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Channel 5 series Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I have watched the show for years, so to be a part of it feels like a very exciting challenge, albeit more than a bit nerve-wracking!’

TABBY STOECKER 

AGE: 25

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Olympic champion skeleton racer

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’ve had the wildest year of my life so far, so to be rounding it off with a childhood dream of dancing in the Strictly ballroom is surreal and I can’t wait to get stuck in!’

MELANIE WALTERS 

AGE: 64

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Gwen West in BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room.’

DANI DYER

AGE: 30

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Winning Love Island and being the daughter of actor Danny Dyer

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one!’

CHRIS APPLETON

AGE: 43

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hairdresser to the stars – including Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience. I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new.’

WILL BEST

AGE: 41

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Big Brother and previously TV

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I’ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait!’

JAIME WINSTONE

AGE: 41

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Starring in films such as Kidulthood and Tomb Raider

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me.’

SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS 

AGE: 44

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Footballer who played for the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I’m super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!’

LAWRENCE ROBB

AGE: 34

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Mackenzie Boyd on ITV’s Emmerdale

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I can’t quite believe that I am going to be getting my dancing shoes on this September on one of my favourite shows of all time!’

JOHN NELLIS 

AGE: 33

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Face of a popular football-focused YouTube channel

WHY STRICTLY?: ‘I can’t wait to meet everyone, learn a new skill and, hopefully, be much better at family parties by the end of it!’