Jaime Winstone Strictly injury activates show rule for week seven
A painful abdominal injury stopped the British actress from performing, putting her ballroom partnership directly under BBC guidelines.
Actress Jaime Winstone was forced to sit out week seven of Strictly Come Dancing 2026 on Saturday after sustaining a torn abdominal muscle, leaving her professional partner Carlos Gu without a routine on the live ballroom floor.
During the Saturday, November 7 broadcast on BBC One, hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe confirmed her absence to viewers. Under the long-standing competition rules of the BBC flagship series, Winstone and Gu were granted a bye directly into week eight, scheduled for November 14.
What the BBC and Jaime Winstone said
The BBC first announced the withdrawal earlier in the week following medical evaluations. According to reports across UK media, doctors ordered complete physical rest for the actress.
“Due to injury, Jaime Winstone has been advised by doctors to rest and, as a result, she will not dance in this weekend’s Strictly Come Dancing,” a BBC spokesperson said in an official statement on November 4. “In line with the rules of the show, Jaime and Carlos will receive a bye through to next week when it is hoped they will be able to dance again. We wish Jaime the very best as she continues her recovery.”
Winstone addressed her condition in a personal statement released through the network, sharing her disappointment over having to pause her rehearsals.
“I am absolutely devastated not to be dancing this weekend due to a torn abdominal muscle,” Winstone said. “I am in considerable pain, and my doctors have advised complete rest to give my body the best possible chance to heal.”
She added: “As frustrating as it is, I have to put my health first and follow their advice to step away from dancing this week. I love every moment of dancing and performing with Carlos, and I am praying for a speedy recovery so that I can continue this magical journey.”
Closing her statement, Winstone thanked those following her progress: “I want to thank everyone for their incredible support so far. It means more than you know. Wishing everyone on the show all the luck, love and strength for Saturday night and I hope to be back on that dance floor very soon. With love, Jaime.”
How the judges and cast reacted
Following the announcement, members of the judging panel and the cast took to Instagram to send public messages of support.
Judge Motsi Mabuse wrote: “Sending you so much love, darling. Your health always comes first. Take the time you need to rest, recover and get your strength back. We’ll miss you this week, but what matters most is that you feel better. Wishing you a speedy recovery and sending you the biggest hug!”
Head judge Shirley Ballas commented: “We wish you a speedy recovery. Take care of yourself health first xx.”
Fellow celebrity contestant Delta Goodrem, who previously relied on a medical bye in week four due to a rib injury before returning to dance in week five, also reached out. “Ahhhh sending all the healing energy beautiful Jaime the same way you gave me so much love and support!!!! Heal and rest, get better. We come back fighting!! Xxx,” Goodrem wrote on Instagram.
Professional dancer Dianne Buswell, co-host Josh Widdicombe, and contestants Dani Dyer, Bethany Antonia, and John Nellis also shared messages encouraging her recovery.
Strictly rules and what comes next
Winstone is the second celebrity in series 24 to use the medical bye rule, which allows an injured contestant to advance automatically by one week without facing the public vote or a dance-off.
Her absence comes just one week after surviving a scare on the dance floor. In week six, during the Halloween special, Winstone and Gu found themselves in a bottom-three dance-off alongside Bethany Antonia and Lawrence Robb. The judges voted to eliminate Robb, saving both Winstone and Antonia.
Gu entered series 24 as a reigning champion, having lifted the glitterball trophy in Strictly Come Dancing 2025 alongside former footballer Karen Carney.
What remains unconfirmed is whether Winstone will be medically cleared in time for the live show on Saturday, November 14, and what routine the pair will take on if she is approved to return.
