Strictly Come Dancing professional Kai Widdrington has confirmed Delta Goodrem's plans for the BBC show after the Australian singer was forced to withdraw from this weekend's programme due to a painful rib injury. The 41-year-old first injured her ribs early last week, ahead of her performance on Saturday, October 10. Her condition worsened as the week went on, but she still took to the dance floor for the live BBC show despite being in excruciating pain.
Injury forces withdrawal
After Saturday's live Strictly show, Delta's condition deteriorated even more, and she was forced to attend A&E that very Saturday evening. Given the seriousness of the injury, medical professionals recommended she rest, forcing her withdrawal from the subsequent week's programme. The injury was confirmed on Monday, 12 October, with Delta and programme bosses confirming she was recovering at home.
Under the show's rules, she and her dance partner Kai Widdrington, 31, have been granted a bye into next week.
Kai's update on 'iconic' return
Kai has now shared an update concerning Delta's plans for next week. During an appearance on Strictly's sister show It Takes Two on Friday (October 16), Kai disclosed Delta is planning an "iconic" return following her injury. The professional dancer revealed that the pair were already working out their choreography for the forthcoming week, and even shared which song they would have performed to this week.
When presenter Ellie Taylor asked which song and dance they would have performed this week, Kai replied: "We would have been dancing the Cha Cha Cha to Olivia Newton-John's 'Xanadu'." After Ellie suggested he should "do it next week anyway", Kai responded: "We feel like it might be cursed, so we might not!"
Outlining their plans for the following week's routine, Kai explained: "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."
Fan reactions and Delta's message
Reacting to Kai's reveal on Reddit, one Strictly fan commented: "Kind of insane that Delta was supposed to do a Cha-cha-cha when she's already done a Samba and a Salsa. That's pretty intense!" Another agreed: "Insane! My theory is that they thought she was going to be a ballroom girl and wanted her to get them out the way. When in reality I think she find ballroom much harder." A third added: "Well based on Kai's description of slow, it's probably a waltz or viennese waltz next week." While a fourth offered: "Could also be a slow foxtrot."
Confirming her injury this week, Delta said: "I'm absolutely gutted that a rib injury means I won't be able to dance on Strictly this week. 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 dance floor 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."
Kai will perform alongside Strictly professional Amy Dowden during this weekend's October 18 episode on Sunday. The duo are set to dance while guest musical act Belles performs Dolly Parton's Jolene. Strictly Come Dancing airs tonight, Saturday October 17, at 6:15pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
