Dani Dyer-Bowen has pulled out of Strictly Come Dancing after fracturing her ankle during rehearsals for the 23rd series.
The 29-year-old former Love Island winner, who was paired with professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin, said she was “heartbroken” to be unable to compete on the BBC One programme.
In an emotional video posted on Instagram on Tuesday evening, she said she would take a “few days off my socials” to process her departure, but promised to return to the set to cheer on the remaining cast.
She explained that she had fallen during a rehearsal on Friday and, after an MRI scan, discovered she had fractured her ankle. She described the experience as “very, very annoying, devastating”.
Head judge Shirley Ballas responded to the news on Instagram, writing: “I’m so so sorry. But health is most important. Get well soon Angel.” Her father, actor Danny Dyer, posted a broken heart emoji.
Dyer-Bowen is the second celebrity to withdraw from this series, following Kristian Nairn, who left for medical reasons last month and was replaced by Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope.
