Strictly Come Dancing professional Kai Widdrington was taken to hospital after falling ill, forcing him to miss the live show on Saturday, November 14. His celebrity partner Delta Goodrem performed with Aljaž Škorjanec instead.
Kai falls ill before show
On Friday, November 13, the BBC confirmed that Kai Widdrington would not be dancing with Delta Goodrem due to illness. His fellow professional dancer Aljaž Škorjanec, who left the competition with Melanie Walters in week three, stepped in to perform the Argentine Tango.
A statement posted to Strictly's official Instagram account read: "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."
Hosts explain the change
As he introduced Delta and Aljaž on Saturday night, host Josh Widdicombe said: "Our next star on the dance floor is Delta Goodrem, who has had quite the week." Emma Willis added: "On Monday, she and Kai celebrated her birthday and began training for a brand-new routine."
Josh then said: "However, yesterday in rehearsals, Kai became unwell, and on the advice of our medical team, he was sent home to rest." Emma noted: "So, Aljaž has very kindly stepped in, and after just a few hours of rehearsing together, they are ready to dance with an Argentine Tango."
Delta's emotional response
Delta looked visibly emotional in the VT after Kai became unwell. "Today's been crazy. Kai's been taken ill and sadly, he won't be dancing this weekend. Aljaž is stepping in and we have a couple of hours to learn the routine. It's heartbreaking, but I know I'm in good hands," she said.
Despite the setbacks, Delta and Aljaž impressed the judges with their Argentine Tango, which earned three 9s and an 8. As she gave her critique, Shirley confirmed that Delta had trained with three different partners during the week.
Kai taken to hospital
As she awaited her scores, Delta confirmed that Kai had been taken to hospital after becoming unwell on Friday. She said to Johannes Radebe: "So, it was an extremely crazy week. Obviously, we're so sad that Kai got so unwell yesterday, and he had to go to the hospital. So, 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."
Turning to Aljaž, she added: "I'm in such amazing hands, obviously with Aljaž being so incredible, and such an inspiration. I couldn't believe late last night, the way he just jumped straight in and I was like, 'Wow, it really is different,' but he's so incredible that I felt very much in safe hands. [I'm] so honoured to dance with you."
Fans were quick to send well wishes to Kai, while others were concerned that Aljaž would need to step in for the rest of the series. "Shame for Kai - get well soon, but what a treat to watch the wonderful Aljăz dance the #ArgentineTango with Delta," one person wrote on X. Another added: "Omg is Kai actually okay? Sounds like he's in hospital? Maybe it'll be Delta & Aljaž the rest of the series?" A third said: "I wonder which other pro she danced with beforehand and why they had to switch, also poor Kai ending up in hospital hope he's doing okay!" Someone else commented: "Oh gosh I wonder what was wrong with Kai. Hope hospital was just a precaution but hope he is ok."
Strictly Come Dancing is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
