Former Love Island star Dani Dyer has broken her silence on her future with Strictly Come Dancing, following a devastating injury that forced her to withdraw from the 2025 series before it even began.
A Devastating Blow Before the First Dance
The 29-year-old reality TV personality and wife of West Ham footballer Jarrod Bowen was all set to make her ballroom debut with professional partner Nikita Kuzmin. However, tragedy struck during rehearsals for the opening live show. Dani sustained a fractured ankle after a fall, an injury confirmed by a subsequent MRI scan.
"I had a fall on Friday in rehearsals and landed funny," Dani explained at the time. "I thought I had rolled my foot but it swelled up badly over the weekend... Apparently doing the quickstep on a fracture is not advisable, and the doctors have said I'm not allowed to dance, so I've had to pull out of the show." The medical advice left her with no choice but to step away from the competition.
Amber Davies' Remarkable Last-Minute Journey
In a whirlwind turn of events, fellow Love Island alum Amber Davies was called upon to replace Dani. With just 48 hours' notice before the first live broadcast, Amber partnered with Nikita Kuzmin and performed a Waltz.
Despite finding herself in the dreaded dance-off on multiple occasions, the judges repeatedly saved her, allowing her to defy the odds and secure a place in the grand final. She ultimately competed for the Glitterball Trophy against George Clarke and the winners, Karen Carney and her partner Carlos Gu.
Following the final, an elated Amber took to Instagram, calling it the "best night of my life" and thanking everyone for their support over the "last four months." She also praised the judging panel and hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman for their long-running work on the show.
Dani's Recovery and Hopes for a 2026 Return
Now, speaking to Heat Magazine, Dani Dyer has provided a positive update on her road to recovery. "I've been having lots of physio and it's much better now," she shared. She also revealed she remains in touch with Nikita Kuzmin, sending her love to him and Amber for their incredible run.
When directly questioned about the possibility of a sensational comeback for the 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing, the Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins participant gave a hopeful, if non-committal, response. "That's up to the bosses! We'll see what happens," she stated, leaving the door firmly open for a future attempt at the glitterball.
The news comes as BBC executives address other future changes to the show. BBC Chief Content Officer Kate Phillips recently commented on speculation about replacing hosts Tess and Claudia, stating that the production team's immediate focus is on delivering the current series, with any such considerations postponed until the New Year.
