Delta Goodrem's chances of lifting the Strictly Come Dancing Glitterball Trophy could be in doubt after her comeback performance, according to former professional Vincent Simone. The 41-year-old singer returned to the ballroom last weekend after a rib injury forced her to miss Icons Week.
Strong Return to the Leaderboard
Delta and her dance partner Kai Widdrington scored 34 out of 40 points for their Rumba, placing second on the leaderboard. She has regularly featured in the top three couples throughout the series and has emerged as a frontrunner for the title.
However, Vincent Simone believes her strong start could work against her as the competition progresses.
Former Pro's Warning
Speaking to Paddy Power Games, Vincent said: "I love what Delta Goodrem does, but I think she's just been too good too soon."
"I like to see people grow more into the competition. What she did was brilliant. In the rumba, there was lots of basic. Technically, she was really good, and you can tell they worked hard," he added.
"But because she's been so good, you just want to see her excel every week," he continued.
Comparison to Lewis Cope
Delta's supporters will be hoping she avoids the same fate as Lewis Cope, who was eliminated in last year's competition. The Emmerdale star was among the most impressive contestants of the 2025 series, dancing with professional partner Katya Jones, who won the show in 2017.
Despite impressing viewers each week, Lewis ended up in the dance-off before the final, facing Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin. Vincent had previously suggested that theatrical backgrounds might have worked against them in gaining public support.
"I don't think there's anything wrong with bringing amazingly talented people into the show," he said at the time. "People sometimes find it unfair, but those types rarely win. The public tends to go for underdogs."
"The entertainment they bring is unbelievable. And, from a professional dancer's point of view, I love watching super-talented people," he continued. "It makes the show special and gets people talking. People vote for their favourites, of course. But what Lewis brought to the show was unbelievable."
Katya Jones' Doubts
Following the result, Katya admitted she had questioned whether she wanted to stay on the show. Speaking to the Mail Online, she said: "Every time I ask myself [if I want to return], and if the answer is still yes, I'll be here doing it. And I must say, last year I was very heartbroken. So there was a lot of doubt, like, 'Can I face it again?'"
"I guess our expectation was so high and not even from us, externally, you kind of see yourself getting all the way there. And then to have had it cut short was a little bit tough," she added.
This week, Delta and Kai will perform a Viennese Waltz to Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers as part of the show's Halloween special, aiming to stay in the top three. Strictly Come Dancing continues tonight at 6.30pm on BBC One.
