Delta Goodrem was seen fighting tears as she watched the latest instalment of Strictly Come Dancing from home after an injury forced her out of week four of the competition. The BBC One dance contest returned on Saturday (October 17) with the annual Icons Week special, where celebrities and their partners channel famous singers, including Adele, RAYE, Elton John and Frank Sinatra.
Only 12 couples took to the ballroom floor, after there should have been 13 performances in week four. It was confirmed at the start of the week that Delta was injured, meaning she and Kai were unable to perform. Doctors advised the singer and actress to rest, with the hope she will be well enough to return next weekend.
Spokesperson confirms bye
A Strictly spokesperson said: "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. 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."
As the live show got underway, presenters Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe offered their well-wishes. Dancer Johannes said: "Delta, my darling, we know you will be watching at home tonight. I just want to say we are all sending you so much love."
Delta shares positive message
On Instagram, Delta shared a message with fans: "I've been recovering and I promise I'll share more in the coming days. I think it takes a second to get into a positive mindset when you have a setback and you need to just be able to process it and work out what the body's saying and how we can continue to move through this. But in the meantime, I'm very excited to see the amazing, talented class of 2026."
She added: "I'm so excited to be watching them all doing their Icon performances tonight. I've got my snacks, and I just wanted to say I'm excited to cheer them all on. Hope you enjoy the show and I'm sorry I'm not there on this one but I will give it everything I've got to be there next week."
She captioned the clip on her Instagram Story: "It's been [a] healing time. But feeling positive and love my talented friends @bbcstrictly who I can't wait to watch dance up a storm. GO TEAM!! Love you all!!"
Emotional moment and The Voice appearance
It became emotional for Delta as she filmed herself while the hosts gave her a shoutout. She could be seen fighting tears before saying "love you too" and blowing kisses towards the camera. She wrote: "Thanks team, it's been a rough week [heart emoji]. Love you guys! @josh_widdicombe @johannesradebe @emmawillisofficial."
Kai had earlier revealed he was preparing for Delta's return. On It Takes Two on Friday (October 16), he said: "We're going to slow things down a little next week and ease back into it. But as Delta reminded me today on FaceTime, 'it always has to be iconic'. So we have to make it iconic. So that's my job to choreograph it. I choreographed it today. It's gonna be slower than what we've done before."
Delta also appeared on screens on Saturday night in a pre-recorded appearance on The Voice UK, helping Kelly Rowland in the battle rounds. The Destiny's Child star introduced her: "So because this is such a huge challenge, I have brought someone who is music industry savvy, a brilliant musician and a very dear friend of mine. And I know she too has been in this position on The Voice. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you... Miss Delta Goodrem!"
Delta stepped out of a sleek black car in a burgundy outfit and greeted Team Kelly to huge applause. She told the acts: "I am so honoured and so excited to be a part of Team Kelly today - let’s go! Not only have we worked together on The Voice Australia, but we share together very high standards. We are expecting the best. We know how much effort and love we put into our craft as artists, so we expect that from the team, and I’m excited to see them really turn up and say ‘this is who I am’ today."
