Strictly Come Dancing professional Kai Widdrington was taken to hospital and forced to miss Saturday's live show with his celebrity partner Delta Goodrem, and fears have emerged that he could be forced to quit the series altogether if there is no sign of improvement.
The 31-year-old dancer fell ill on Friday and skipped Saturday's show, with fellow professional Aljaž Škorjanec stepping in at the last minute to partner Delta for an Argentine Tango. The show addressed the situation at the start of the broadcast, with co-host Johannes Radebe saying: "As you may have noticed, Delta is with Aljaž tonight. Unfortunately due to illness Kai is unable to perform. Kai, get well soon – please! And Aljaž, thank you for stepping in."
Emergency Mode After Illness Worsens
It transpired that the new couple had only hours together to practice the routine on Friday night, Delta revealed in the VT, after Kai – who had been struggling with a mystery illness during the week – saw his condition worsen and BBC medics stepped in, according to The Sun.
"It's been a hell of a week for Delta. On Friday morning it became clear Kai wouldn't be able to continue and the BBC went into emergency mode. Everyone's been feeling the pressure," a source told the publication. A second insider added: "He's spent the whole week talking about how he was just one dance from Blackpool, and suddenly he's out. The fear he may be out for the series is real. No one can say until next week."
Delta Praises Stand-In Partner
Singer Delta, 42, said on the live show: "It was an extremely crazy week and obviously we're so sad that Kai got so unwell yesterday and he had to go to the hospital. We're both sending him so much love, watching tonight. I'm so proud of my dance partner and, no doubt, he'll be strong and come back."
She also praised Aljaž, 36, for subbing in. "I couldn't believe, late last night, the way he just jumped straight in," Delta marvelled, emphasising that it "really is different" dancing with another partner. "But he's so incredible that I felt very much in safe hands and so honoured to dance with you," she added.
Despite the lack of notice, and Aljaž admitting the dance was not his forte, he and Delta managed to score 35 and come in second place on the leaderboard. It was also her highest mark of the series so far.
Judges Praise Last-Minute Performance
When giving feedback, judge Motsi Mabuse said: "Dancing with a partner always needs a connection and time to get used to somebody, and to get a partner at the last minute, a beautiful partner and one of the best, I must say, to actually have that energy between the two of you and atmosphere and balance and musicality at the last minute – I rate you so highly for that." Fellow judges Anton Du Beke added that their dance was "beautiful to watch", while Craig Revel Horwood called it "superb".
Kai was watching from home, sharing supportive updates on his Instagram stories. After Delta and Aljaž danced, he wrote that he was "proud beyond words" and encouraged his followers to vote. He also posted tense footage of himself watching them dance, where he became emotional at the end and told his partner Chloë Wells they "did brilliantly". Chloë also shared an update, writing: "Different Saturday night tonight watching with my patient @kaiwidd but we're cheering everyone on from the sofa, especially @deltagoodrem @aljazskorjanec."
Last year, Kai was eliminated at this stage with partner Vicky Pattinson, with the couple failing to make it to Blackpool, which marks the halfway point of the competition and an important part of the competition with the chance to dance in the town's internationally renowned Tower Ballroom. Elsewhere on Saturday, it was former Love Island winner Cach Mercer and his partner Maddie Ingoldsby who topped the Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard, just a week after narrowly avoiding elimination. Their Charleston to Blame It On The Boogie by The Jacksons scored 39, the highest mark of the series so far. Metro has contacted reps for Kai Widdrington and Strictly Come Dancing for comment.
