Dani Dyer will get another shot at glory on the Strictly dancefloor, after being forced to pull out of the BBC show before her debut due to injury.
The former Love Island star, 29, was one of the big signings set to take part in the new series, which has already been dogged by a string of scandals in its build-up.
Bosses had hoped that Dani, who partnered with professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin, would go far in the competition, but it was announced on Tuesday that she's been forced to withdraw after fracturing her ankle in training.
In a statement, BBC bosses confirmed that the door would be left open for 'heartbroken' Dani to return next year, saying they 'hope to welcome her back to the ballroom in the future.'
This injury will no doubt bring back memories for Dani of her first reality TV stint on ITV2 series Survival Of The Fittest, which was also cut short after she was forced to pull out on the first day following a shoulder injury.
Dani is also the second star to pull out of this year's series before the first live show has even aired, as Game Of Thrones star Kristian Nairn withdrew from the lineup due to 'unexpected medical reasons.'
The Daily Mail broke the news that Dani, one of the show's favourites, had to bow out on Tuesday, after fracturing her ankle during a training rehearsal on Friday.
Dani later confirmed this in a statement and said: 'I had a fall on Friday in rehearsals and landed funny. I thought I had rolled my foot but it swelled up badly over the weekend and after an MRI scan yesterday, it turns out I have fractured my ankle.
'Apparently doing the quickstep on a fracture is not advisable (!!) and the doctors have said I am not allowed to dance so l've had to pull out of the show.
'To say I'm heartbroken is the biggest understatement. I am so going to miss dancing with Nikita but will of course be watching closely and cheering all the couples on.'
The accident occurred before Dani even got to perform one routine.
Sarah James, Executive Producer for BBC Studios said: 'Dani has brought so much passion, joy and enthusiasm to Strictly, and her partnership with Nikita was off to the most sensational start.
'Everyone on the show is incredibly sad that she's no longer able to compete in this year's series. We send her all our love and best wishes for a swift recovery, and we very much hope to welcome her back to the ballroom in the future.'
It's not been confirmed whether Dani will be replaced by another star in the Strictly lineup, though she is far from the first star who has been forced to pull out of the show due to an injury.
This injury will no doubt bring back memories for Dani of her first reality TV stint on Survival Of The Fittest, which was also cut short after she dislocated her shoulder on the first day
In a statement, BBC bosses confirmed that the door would be left open for 'heartbroken' Dani to return next year, saying they 'hope to welcome her back to the ballroom in the future'
On Wednesday, Waterloo Road star Tillie Amartey denied claims that she was in early talks with bosses to replace Dani, after competing on the Strictly Christmas Special in 2023.
A source told Daily Mail: 'Tillie hasn't had any contact with Strictly Come Dancing.'
'Bosses still don't know if they are replacing Dani yet.'
Only once have bosses opted to replace a star that's pulled out at this stage of the series, with Made In Chelsea star Jamie Laing forced to withdraw after injuring himself in a group dance during Strictly's launch show in 2019.
That year, he was replaced by Emmerdale favourite Kelvin Fletcher, who with his professional partner Oti Mabuse went on to win the series.
Jamie was also invited to return and compete on Strictly the following year, and after being partnered with Karen Hauer, they made it all the way to the final.
Due to the gruelling nature of Strictly training, in the past many stars have been forced to withdraw from the show after suffering an injury, with footballer Tony Adams, actor Nigel Harman and Paralympian Will Bailey among those who have quit.
Dani Dyer's history with reality TV has been rocky to say the least, as before her victory on the 2018 series of Love Island, she'd planned to kickstart her career with an appearance on the short-lived series of Survival Of The Fittest.
At the time, Dani, who is the daughter of EastEnders and Rivals actor Danny Dyer, was working as a barmaid.
But after jetting to South Africa to appear in the big-budget show, Dani was forced to withdraw on the first day after dislocating her shoulder while going headfirst down a waterslide during a challenge.
It was decided by producers that Dani could not continue, with an ITV source telling Daily Mail at the time: 'Dani injured her shoulder during the recording of a challenge. She was attended to by on site medics and taken to hospital as a precautionary measure.
'As Survival of the Fittest involves physical challenges which she wouldn't be able to take part in, Dani isn't in a position to be able to return to The Lodge and will therefore leave the show.'
Dani appeared on Survival Of The Fittest back in 2018 but ended up being withdrawn on medical grounds and consequently departing the show's purpose-built lodge
No doubt Strictly bosses will be tearing their hair out after already losing another contestant, Kristian Nairn, before the show even began this year
Jamie Laing was given the chance to return to Strictly in 2020 after he pulled out of the show the previous year, following an injury during the launch show (pictured with Karen Hauer)
Speaking after her withdrawal, Dani admitted she was forced to wear a sling, meaning she would not be able to take part in any of the show's grueling physical challenges.
'I will just be sitting around and not be able to compete and I'm not meant to move [my arm] for a week so it wouldn't be fair and there is just no point,' she said. 'I'll just be an extra spare part if I carry on like this.'
The brunette revealed she was gutted to be going home after spending hours in the gym ahead of her trip to the South African Savannah.
'I haven't stopped training since Christmas,' she said. 'I've been dieting. I did Tough Mudder last year and I didn't even hurt myself then. I’ve been constantly training up until now and now I’ve gone and dislocated my shoulder. It is what it is I suppose.'
'My experience in the lead up to going into The Lodge was just amazing, I can't put it into words how amazing it was so I am absolutely gutted that I can't do any of the challenges.'
'If I could go back and not dislocate my shoulder, I would definitely change it. I hope this isn't the last you've seen of me.'
Dani went on to take part in the fourth series of Love Island later that year, and was crowned winner alongside her then-boyfriend Jack Fincham.
Her withdrawal is yet another blow for Strictly bosses after Kristian's early exit from the show last month.
The Game Of Thrones star, 49, said: 'With a heavy heart, I have to step back from this season of Strictly Come Dancing. I was truly looking forward to the journey, and I'm deeply sorry to disappoint anyone who was looking forward to seeing me on the dance floor.
'Thank you all for your support and I will be back on my feet very soon, in every sense.'
Meanwhile, The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner - who is paired with Strictly pro Amy Dowden - has also been hit by scandal after he last week admitted cheating on his wife Sinead just weeks after their wedding in 2022.
Summary
- Dani Dyer has withdrawn from Strictly due to an ankle injury sustained during training.
- BBC bosses have expressed hope for her return next year.
- This incident recalls her previous withdrawal from Survival Of The Fittest due to a shoulder injury.
- Dani confirmed her injury details publicly and expressed heartbreak over missing out on dancing.
- Executive Producer Sarah James conveyed sadness over Dani's inability to compete this season.
- There’s uncertainty about whether Dani will be replaced in this year's lineup.
- Dani's history with reality TV includes past injuries affecting participation.
- Kristian Nairn also withdrew from this season before it began due to medical reasons.
- Thomas Skinner faced personal scandal shortly after joining Strictly cast.