Strictly Come Dancing contestant Delta Goodrem has spoken out after her dance partner Kai Widdrington was forced to withdraw from this weekend's show due to illness. The news was confirmed on Friday, November 13, meaning the pair will not perform the Argentine tango to Missing by Everything But The Girl as planned.
Delta, who earlier in the 2026 series missed a week of competition with a painful rib injury, will instead be joined by fellow professional Aljaz Skorjanec. Aljaz was eliminated from the competition last month alongside his celebrity partner, Gavin & Stacey star Melanie West.
Last-Minute Change Confirmed
Ellie Taylor announced the change on It Takes Two, saying: "First some news just in, due to illness, Kai is unable to perform on tomorrow night's show. Instead, Aljaz will step in to dance the Argentine Tango with Delta. Kai, we are sending you so much love, feel better soon."
A statement on Strictly's social media accounts read: "Due to illness, Kai is unable to perform on tomorrow night's show. Instead, Aljaz will step in to dance the Argentine Tango with Delta. We're sending Kai all our love and hope he feels better soon." The caption also read: "Sending all our love to Kai! #Strictly."
Delta's Response
Reacting to the news on Instagram, Delta wrote: "Going to miss my partner so much tomorrow night", as the couple move closer to reaching the famous Blackpool week.
Last Weekend's Dance-Off
Last weekend, actress Bethany Antonia and her dance partner Nancy Xu found themselves in the dance-off for the third time during Sunday's (November 8) results show. They faced Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby to keep their place in the BBC One contest.
Both couples performed their routines again in front of the judging panel. Bethany and Nancy reprised their Foxtrot to Leona Lewis' Bleeding Love, while Cach and Maddie returned with their Waltz to That Ain't You by Mulaa Joans. Anton Du Beke chose to save Cach and Maddie, praising their performance, while Craig Revel Horwood voted to keep Bethany and Nancy in the competition.
Speaking to host Emma Willis after the decision, Bethany said: "To go out on this dance and to feel the magic of getting to do that kind of routine and what it means and what it stands for just means everything to me." Turning to Nancy, she added: "You have brought out a side of me that I didn't think I would ever get to see. I'm gonna miss you so much. I am so grateful for everything you've taught me."
