Dani Dyer returned to Strictly Come Dancing to watch the contestants take on week four of the dance show. The former Love Island star had been involved in the original lineup of contestants before being forced to pull out after suffering an injury in rehearsals. She was partnered with professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin before her sudden exit.
In a statement shared at the end of September, Dani 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 I’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.”
Sharing picture to social media yesterday, Dani revealed she was back in the Strictly studio to cheer on the contestants and their professional dance partner. In a photo alongside Vicky Pattison, Dani said: “So happy I got to watch Strictly last night.. missed you all and so proud.
“My beautiful Vicky Pattison just love you so much and watching you live was just PERFECT! Love you all loads.” Vicky replied to the heartfelt message “love you so much mate, my girl! I will be front row every week next year watching you SMASH IT.”
Other contestants who has started their Strictly journey alongside Dani also sent supportive messages. Lewis Cope wrote “Was so nice to see you” and Julian Caillon added “It was so good to see you!! We miss you.”
Speaking on her podcast, Dani shared: “I was so devastated it made it really hard for me, because everyone around me was like pure devastation and that’s why I couldn’t leave the house because I knew if someone said to me ‘Are you okay Dani?’ I would just cry.”
She added: “Honestly dad, it’s been so heartbreaking and I needed to grieve it.” Her dad Danny Dyer joked: “There was talk, only between me and you, of maybe me coming in as your substitute.”
Dani added: “That would’ve been brilliant, I would’ve loved it. You would’ve won it.” However, Dani did tease she would like to return to the ballroom sometime in the future.
Just days after Dani’s devastating announcement, former Love Island winner Amber Davies stepped in to take her place on the show. The West End performer, who is partnered with Nikita said: “This has been the craziest 24 hours of my life.
“I’ve watched Strictly with my family since I was younger and to now be part of the show is a dream come true. I’m going to give it my all and I am sending Dani well wishes for a speedy recovery. I hope I do her proud.”
In week four of Strictly, Amber and Nikita were among the 11 couples to compete during the show’s annual Icons Week special, which saw the contestants pay homage to some of the world’s biggest music acts.
Amber finished joint second on the leader board alongside Vicky Pattison, as she channelled her inner Ariana Grande with a cha cha alongside Nikita to the American pop star’s track, Break Free.
Despite another high-performing routine, Amber and Nikita found themselves fighting for their place in the competition following the latest public vote.
As the judges’ casted their votes, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and head judge Shirley Ballas chose to save Amber and Nikita, with Anton Du Beke, who was this week’s judge with the casting vote, adding he would have voted the same.