Strictly Come Dancing star Vicky Pattison has expressed her disappointment following Dani Dyer's sudden exit from the show due to a fractured ankle. The 37-year-old Geordie Shore legend, who is preparing to compete in the upcoming series, revealed that she and Dani had been sharing a dressing room before the injury occurred.
Speaking on Thursday's Lorraine alongside her professional partner Kai Widdrington, Pattison said: 'She'll be a big miss. She was my little dressing room buddy and my Strictly best pal other than Kai. I know she's gutted, but we're gutted to lose her. She was a ray of sunshine, a brilliant little dancer and just a nice person. I hope she'll be back.'
Dani Dyer, 29, announced her withdrawal from the BBC programme on Instagram after an MRI scan confirmed a fractured ankle sustained during rehearsals. The Love Island winner wrote: 'I had a fall on Friday in rehearsals and landed funny... 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.'
Head judge Shirley Ballas hinted that producers are considering having no elimination in the first week to account for the reduced number of contestants. She said: 'I did speak to the executive producer... they're hustling and bustling to see what they can do, we're a dancer down. So, either, someone won't go home the first week or something like that.'
Vicky Pattison also revealed that she and Kai will perform the cha-cha-cha in the first live show, aiming to impress judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke. The series continues with the remaining celebrities, including Neighbours' Stefan Dennis, EastEnders' Balvinder Sopal, and drag queen La Voix.
