Strictly Come Dancing professional Kai Widdrington has been forced to pull out of Saturday night's live show after falling ill, with fellow dancer Aljaž Škorjanec stepping in to take his place. The change was confirmed in a statement released by the BBC show, which said: "Due to illness, Kai is unable to dance on tomorrow night's show. Instead, Aljaž will step in to dance the Argentine Tango with Delta. We're sending Kai all our love and hope he feels better very soon."
Aljaž returns to the ballroom
Aljaž, 36, was previously partnered with Gavin and Stacey actress Melanie Walters, but the pair were eliminated last month after losing their dance-off against Shaun Wright-Phillips and Alexis Warr, The Mirror reported. Delta, 42, and Kai had been preparing to perform the Argentine Tango to Missing by Everything But The Girl, but she will now take to the ballroom with Aljaž instead.
Strictly judge Shirley Ballas was among those to send her best wishes to Kai, commenting on the show's Instagram announcement: "Hugs, get well soon." The news was also shared on BBC spin-off show Strictly: It Takes Two, where host Ellie Taylor said: "Kai, we are sending you so much love, feel better soon."
Delta's difficult start
The latest setback comes after Delta endured a difficult start to her Strictly journey, despite receiving praise for her performances. In October, the singer suffered a fractured rib during rehearsals, forcing her to miss Icons Week. The injury required intensive physiotherapy and meant she was unable to perform her planned Dolly Parton tribute to Jolene, with Amy Dowden stepping in to perform the routine instead.
Jaime Winstone returns
While Kai will be absent from Saturday's show, there will be a welcome return to the ballroom for actress Jaime Winstone, who missed a week of competition after suffering an abdominal injury. Jaime has, however, been advised by doctors not to perform any lifts during her return. She is due to dance the Charleston to I Can't Do It Alone from musical Chicago, with the choreography adapted to include additional steps instead.
Giving fans an update on Instagram, she said: "It's been a hard week and it's been very frustrating not being able to dance and join everyone else in the ballroom. I wanted to let you know that we are intending to dance. We have been given the all-clear under certain rules by the doctors. We've just done our wonderful Charleston with amazing choreographers and Carlos."
