Strictly Come Dancing presenter Emma Willis has revealed the moment she realised something "wasn't right" with Delta Goodrem. The Australian singer has been forced to withdraw from this weekend's Icons Week live show after suffering a rib injury.
BBC confirms Delta's withdrawal
The BBC confirmed earlier this week: "Due to injury, Delta Goodrem has been advised by doctors to rest and, as a result, will not dance on this weekend's Strictly Come Dancing. In line with the rules of the show, Delta and Kai will receive a bye through to next week when it is hoped they will be able to dance again. We wish Delta the very best as she continues her recovery."
Delta shared her own statement, saying she was "gutted": "I'm absolutely gutted that a rib injury means I won't be able to dance on Strictly this week. I've been loving every second of this experience, so having to sit this one out is heartbreaking - especially after the high of Saturday night.
"I cannot tell you how much I love being a part of this magical show. I'm going to focus on resting and recovering, and hopefully I'll be back on that dance floor very soon. Thank you so much to everyone for all the love and support. It's so appreciated. I'll be cheering everyone on from the sidelines this week! Sending all my love, Delta xx."
Emma's comments on It Takes Two
Emma appeared on Thursday's It Takes Two (October 15), following the announcement that Delta would be absent from Strictly this week. She told host Ellie Taylor: "It's such a shame, I think it became quite apparent after the show last week that something wasn't right."
"But we're hoping, because she has this by-week this week, by the week after she'll be good to get back, fingers crossed." Emma then remarked on the cast's camaraderie, adding: "They're all so lovely! And then you think, when I see them they're frantic.
"They're either having lunch, like the one minute they get to stop is to eat and then we'll catch up in the dining hall and have a little chat. But then they're either doing rehearsals and maybe things aren't going right and they need to finesse something or it's going brilliantly and they're super excited, and then we see them on the show when it's absolute panic. When we can see them and grab them, we try and catch up as much as possible."
She added: "It's a whirlwind!" Discussing her new role as a presenter, Emma continued: "Josh [Widdicombe] and I sit right at the back where no one can see us in view on the telly and we watch everything, we watch the audience, we watch how the judges react, we watch the dance as well, and everything we do is what we've just observed.
"We take it in the moment. If it's gone really well and they're super excited, we react to that. If it hasn't gone quite so well, we'll react to that. Normally, they can't breathe or speak, so we just go, 'Hey, let's turn to the judges!'" Emma also discussed the one aspect of the live shows she finds challenging - delivering the dance-off results. She said: "I've only done two and I really don't enjoy it.
"I love my job and I love being a part of it but I just feel so sorry for them, we do see how much work they put into it and how much they love doing it and how painful their bodies are by doing it and you don't want to be the one to say, 'Thank you so much, bye!'"
Delta's recovery update
Emma's remarks follow Delta's update regarding her rib injury. She posted on Instagram, sharing an image of herself recuperating on the settee, surrounded by flowers while resting beneath a blanket.
Delta wrote: "Just wanted to come on here and say a big Thank you to everyone who has sent messages and wrote lovely comments the last couple of days, I see them all. Not the start to the week I'd hoped for but your support has meant the world.
"Also special big thank you to my amazing dance partner @kaiwidd who I will miss dancing with this weekend but I am so beyond grateful for his guidance and friendship through it all.. aswell as the wonderful Strictly team! ! Resting and recovering at home and will be cheering everyone on from my couch on Saturday night xx."
Fans flocked to the comments section to offer their encouragement, with one individual posting: "Sending so much love D! We are all behind you." Fellow Strictly star John Nellis said: "See you soon," while another supporter commented: "Sending love." Another admirer added: "Awww Queen D! You are truly a warrior and will bounce back from this! Keep that smile and now that we are all behind you sending you the love." Yet another wrote: "I hope that you feel well very very soon, Queen. You are a perfect dancer. Let's go!". Someone else said: "Rest up warrior, hold on and be strong, here's to a speedy recovery, big love." Another follower commented: "Sending you soooo much love I hope you heal quickly and are taking very good care of yourself xxx."
Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two airs weeknights from 6.30pm on BBC Two and iPlayer.
