Delta Goodrem’s Strictly rib injury shakes up the Icons Week live show
After securing the series' first score of nine, the frontrunner faced an unexpected medical ruling that shifts the dynamic for Saturday's broadcast.
Delta Goodrem will not perform on this weekend’s live Icons Week show of Strictly Come Dancing 2026 after sustaining a rib injury during rehearsals, the BBC confirmed on Monday, October 12.
Doctors advised the Australian singer to rest, forcing her to step away from the dancefloor temporarily. Under the long-running competition rules of the BBC One flagship series, Goodrem and her professional partner, Kai Widdrington, have been granted a bye straight through to week 5 of series 24, as reported by Digital Spy.
What Delta and the BBC said
The news was shared during Monday’s episode of the BBC Two companion show Strictly: It Takes Two, where host Ellie Taylor read an official statement from the production team.
“Due to injury, Delta Goodrem has been advised by doctors to rest and, as a result, will not dance on this weekend’s Strictly Come Dancing,” a Strictly Come Dancing spokesperson said in a statement. “In line with the rules of the show, Delta and Kai will receive a bye through to next week when it is hoped they will be able to dance again. We wish Delta the very best as she continues her recovery.”
Goodrem quickly shared her own reaction in an official statement, expressing her disappointment at being sidelined right after reaching the top of the competition standings.
“I’m absolutely gutted that a rib injury means I won’t be able to dance on Strictly this week,” Goodrem 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: “I can not tell you how much I love being a part of this magical show. I’m going to focus on resting and recovering, and hopefully I’ll be back on that dancefloor very soon. Thank you so much to everyone for all the love and support. It’s so appreciated. I’ll be cheering everyone on from the sidelines this week! Sending all my love, Delta xx”
According to Digital Spy, viewers quickly rallied around the singer on social media. Following the BBC announcement on Instagram, fans flooded the post with supportive comments, including messages reading, “Get well soon gorgeous girl!!!”
Her run at the top of the leaderboard
The temporary exit comes at the peak of Goodrem’s momentum in the ballroom. On Saturday, October 10, during week 3, Goodrem and Widdrington earned a score of 33 for their energetic salsa. That routine earned them the first score of 9 of the 2026 series from judge Motsi Mabuse, landing the pair at the very top of the leaderboard.
Her strong showing has been consistent since the start of series 24. Goodrem, who represented Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest earlier in 2026 and finished in fourth place with 287 points, opened the series with 29 points for her samba in week 1. In week 2, she collected 30 points for an American Smooth, putting her and Widdrington atop the combined two-week leaderboard with 59 points.
What happens next
Show rules allow a celebrity contestant to receive a single bye if medical professionals rule them unfit to dance due to illness or injury. That pass protects the couple from elimination for that specific week, sending them directly into the following round.
Both Goodrem and the BBC hope she can return to perform in week 5. However, it remains unconfirmed whether doctors will officially clear her in time for next week’s live broadcast. Neither Goodrem nor the network has detailed the exact routine movement that caused the injury, nor have they released a precise diagnosis detailing whether the rib is strained, bruised, or fractured.
For now, Goodrem will support the remaining celebrity couples from the sidelines as Icons Week goes ahead this Saturday night on BBC One.
