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Strictly Come Dancing frontrunner Delta Goodrem has been forced to withdraw from this Saturday’s Icons Week after sustaining a rib injury during rehearsals.
The 41-year-old Australian singer, who had been due to pay tribute to Olivia Newton-John as her chosen icon, will sit out the upcoming live show on medical advice.
The BBC confirmed that Ms Goodrem and her pro dance partner, Kai Widdrington, would be granted a bye into the following week’s competition, in accordance with the show’s rules.
However, contestants are permitted only a single free pass before being required to leave the competition entirely, which means Ms Goodrem is in a race against time to recover.
The injury reportedly first occurred during training last week as Ms Goodrem prepared her salsa routine.
It is believed that hours after filming wrapped on Saturday night, the singer found herself unable to sleep due to the severity of the discomfort and was taken to A&E on Sunday morning for treatment.
Ms Goodrem is said to have then spent much of Monday back at hospital, where medical professionals ultimately advised her to skip the upcoming weekend’s programme.
A source told The Sun that “a small injury at the start of last week has quickly deteriorated,” adding that on Saturday night, “despite putting on a brave face and smiling, she was in absolute agony.”
The news was shared on Monday evening’s It Takes Two by presenter Ellie Taylor, who read aloud a statement from the Eurovision finalist.
“I’m absolutely gutted that a rib injury means I won’t be able to dance on Strictly this week,” Ms 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.
“I cannot 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.”
Ms Goodrem also took to Instagram to thank supporters, promising to cheer on her fellow contestants from the sidelines this weekend.
Ms Goodrem’s withdrawal puts a halt to the momentum she and Mr Widdrington had developed in the opening few weeks.
Together, they have claimed the top spot on the leaderboard for two consecutive weeks, with their salsa to a mashup of Incognito’s Always There and Chaka Khan’s Ain’t Nobody earning the competition’s first nine paddle of the year.
After Ms Goodrem’s statement was shared on Instagram, fellow Strictly stars rallied behind the singer to wish her a speedy recovery.
“Sending all my love and well wishes xxxx,” pro dancer Amy Dowden penned, while Nancy Xu echoed: “We waiting for you back with us… recover soon my beautiful girlll @deltagoodrem.” (sic)
“Hope you recover well and quick, can’t wait to see you back on the floor shining,” fellow pro Alexis Warr weighed in, while celebrity contestant Graeme Hall chimed: “Speedy recovery @deltagoodrem … I’ll have the custard creams ready for you.”
Elsewhere, on Saturday night, Gavin and Stacey actress Melanie Walters became the second celebrity eliminated from the series.
She and pro partner Aljaz Skorjanec lost a dance-off against former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips.
Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton had been the first contestant voted off the previous week.
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