Just days away from the first live show!

trictly 2025 contestant Dani Dyer has been forced to withdraw from the competition just days before the first live show.

The former Love Island winner was announced as this year’s first contestant on The One Show. During last Saturday’s (September 20) pre-recorded launch, it was then revealed she was going to be paired with Nikita Kuzmin.

However, in a heartbreaking new update, Dani will no longer be competing on the show. And since the news was revealed, she has now broken her own silence.

Dani has opened up to her fans (Credit: Instagram)

Dani Dyer fights back tears in video

Taking to her Instagram Stories last night (September 23) Dani Dyer got emotional as she addressed her Strictly exit to her fans.

In the video, Dani said: “I’m going to try to do this without crying. But I am so heartbroken. I have not felt like this in such a long time. I was having the best time ever.”

Dani grew emotional as she continued, clearly trying to stop herself from crying.

She said: “It’s just very, very, very annoying. It’s a devastating thing that I’m going through right now. I’m probably going to take some time and have a few days off my socials just to process things.

“But I just want to thank you all so much for your love and support. But I’m gutted. I’m absolutely gutted. I love everyone at Strictly. They’re absolutely amazing. I’m going to miss them so much but I will eventually come and cheer them on.”

Following the video, Dani’s own potential Strictly future was ‘revealed’.

In BBC’s own statement about Dani leaving, they said: “We hope to welcome her back to the ballroom in the future.”

Whether that will be in 2026 or beyond remains to be seen. But for any Team Dani fans, it looks like she’ll be getting another shot!

Dani was set to compete with Nikita (Credit: BBC)

‘She’s mortified’

Since breaking her silence, head judge Shirley Ballas has also spoken out during an appearance on This Morning today.

“I know her work ethic and when she got onto Strictly I thought, ‘They don’t know what’s hit them!’” she said after finding out she had been booked for the show.

Shirley continued: ‘This young lady is all sparkle, and of course, yesterday, she fell on her ankle, or twisted it, she has a hairline fracture, so she’s out.”

The 64-year-old dancer then revealed she had spoken to Dani on the phone.

“I spoke to her yesterday, she’s mortified, she’s devastated, but, as I said to her, she could come back next year. You know, like Jamie Laing did, and he made the final.”

With so much ongoing speculation about who might replace her, Shirley added: “I did speak to the executive producer [about a replacement] to try to get an answer for you and they’re hustling and bustling to see what they can do.”

“We’re a dancer down. So, either, someone won’t go home the first week or something like that. But let’s hope that someone else will get the opportunity.”

Shirley Ballas spoke out (Credit: ITV)

Strictly star Dani Dyer forced to pull out

On Tuesday evening (September 23), it was announced that Dani had withdrawn from Strictly due to an injury.

In a statement, Dani shared: “I had a fall on Friday in rehearsals and landed funny. I thought I had rolled my foot but it swelled up badly over the weekend and after an MRI scan yesterday, it turns out I have fractured my ankle.”

She continued: “Apparently doing the quickstep on a fracture is not advisable (!!) and the doctors have said I am not allowed to dance so l’ve had to pull out of the show. To say I’m heartbroken is the biggest understatement. I am so going to miss dancing with Nikita but will of course be watching closely and cheering all the couples on.”

Sarah James, the Executive Producer of BBC Studios, also shared a statement.

“Dani has brought so much passion, joy and enthusiasm to Strictly, and her partnership with Nikita was off to the most sensational start. Everyone on the show is incredibly sad that she’s no longer able to compete in this year’s series. We send her all our love and best wishes for a swift recovery, and we very much hope to welcome her back to the ballroom in the future,” she said.

As of this writing, it hasn’t been announced if Dani will be replaced by another celebrity.

Dani flooded with support

Following the heartbreaking news, many of Dani’s showbiz pals and Strictly stars have shared their support.

“Absolutely devastated for you Dani. I’m going to miss you so much… Love you loads x,” Vicky Pattison wrote.

“Oh darling nooo. So sorry .. wishing you a speedy recovery,” Karen Hauer shared.

“So gutted for you guys! @danidyerxx @nikita__kuzmin. Hope you get well soon,” Gorka Marquez added.

“Gorgeous gal. Gutted for you and all of us. Sending love and wishing you a speedy recovery,” Balvinder Sopal said.

Dani’s dad, actor Danny Dyer, also added a heartbroken heart emoji.