Dani Dyer has been forced to quit Strictly Come Dancing.
The Daily Mail can reveal Dani, 29, one of the show’s favourites, had to bow out on Tuesday, after fracturing her ankle during a training rehearsal on Monday.
The accident occured before Dani even got to perform one routine and just three days after the show’s launch in which it was revealed she had been partnered with Nikita Kuzmin, 27.
Just days ago, mother-of-three Dani, who is married to footballer Jarred Bowen said: ‘I’m absolutely petrified about dancing live on Saturday nights.’
Dani has had a fair bit of bad luck when it comes to reality shows.
Despite making her name after appearing in Love Island back in 2018, she was due to appear in Survival Of The Fittest.
Dani Dyer has quit Strictly: Star was forced to quit the show after fracturing her ankle during training on Monday
It happened before Dani even got to perform one routine after the show and just three days after the show’s launch
But she was rushed to hospital, just hours before the show’s official launch.
Dani, who is the daughter of EastEnders star Danny Dyer had flown to South Africa ahead of an appearance on the ITV2 show.
But this time it was a shoulder injury picked up while taking part in a pre-recorded physical challenge resulted in Dani being withdrawn on medical grounds and consequently departing the show’s purpose built lodge.
It comes as no surprise then that Dani was said to have been suffering from nerves even before appearing on Strictly, but she had been leaning on fellow dancer Vicky Pattison to get her through it.
A source told Closer: ‘Dani and Vicky have become inseparable. They’re sharing a changing room and are always hanging out backstage.
‘It’s really sweet, a proper friendship has blossomed between them. They’ve clicked straight away.
‘Both of them are nervous, so they’ve been leaning on each other for support. It’s like they’re each other’s safety net.’
With this latest departure, no doubt Strictly bosses will be tearing their hair out after already losing another contestant before the show even began this year.
Dani appeared on Survival Of The Fittest back in 2018 but ended up being withdrawn on medical grounds and consequently departing the show’s purpose built lodge before it even started
Kristian Nairn quit the new series over medical reasons last month.
In an official statement, the actor and DJ, 49, said: ‘With a heavy heart, I have to step back from this season of Strictly Come Dancing due to unexpected medical reasons.
‘I was truly looking forward to the journey, and I’m deeply sorry to disappoint anyone who was looking forward to seeing me on the dance floor.
‘Thank you all for your support, and I will be back on my feet very soon, in every sense. Love to all, Kristian.’
He was replaced by Emmerdale star Lewis Cope.
And moreover, Apprentice star Thomas Skinner has been hit by scandal after he admitted to cheating on his wife Sinead with ‘mistress’ Amy-Lucy O’Rourke just weeks after their wedding in May 2022.
He claimed the ‘two week fling’ was a ‘moment of madness’ that saw him almost ‘ruin his life’.
The Daily Mail revealed that communication between Thomas and Amy-Lucy began on May 13 2022 – just eight days before he married Sinead.
And despite him claiming it was a ‘two week fling’, Amy-Lucy told the Daily Mail that their secret relationship lasted three months, during which time he said he was in love with her, and he was unhappy with his wife.
Thomas has insisted he will not be cancelled and has every plan to remain on the show and do his best.
And no doubt Strictly bosses will be tearing their hair out after already losing another contestant, Kristian Nairn, before the show even began this year
Meanwhile, fellow contestant Thomas Skinner admitted to cheating on his wife Sinead (pictured) just weeks after their wedding in May 2022, calling it a ‘moment of madness’
STRICTLY LINEUP 2025
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey
Age: 36
Profession: Olympic Sprinter and Gladiator
Harry says: ‘I’ll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dance floor. Let’s hope I’m as quick picking up the routines as I am on the track.’
Alex Kingston
Age: 62
Profession: Doctor Who actress
The actress teases: ‘My hips don’t lie.’
Balvinder Sopal
Age: 46
Profession: EastEnders actress
Balvinder says: ‘I’m far too excited to put into words how I feel but I’m incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom.’
La Voix
Age: 45
Profession: Drag performer
She says: ‘Strictly is a national institution and I can’t wait to get started. All that’s left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here’s hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse.’
Thomas Skinner
Age: 34
Profession: Reality star and entrepreneur
He says: ‘Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!’
Vicky Pattison
Age: 37
Profession: Reality TV star
She says: ‘I’m absolutely buzzing to be part of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up… but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified.’
Karen Carney
Age: 38
Profession: Football pundit
She says: ‘I’m such a huge fan of the show and I can’t believe I’m finally getting the chance to take part.’
George Clark
Age: 25
Profession: YouTuber
He says: ‘Never thought I’d say this… but I’m doing Strictly! Honestly, I’ve got no idea what I’m doing but I’m excited to get stuck in … and potentially fall over a fair bit.’
Dani Dyer
Age: 29
Profession: Reality star, 2018 Love Island winner
Dani says: ‘Getting the opportunity to be on Strictly is the second most amazing thing I’ve done this year! feel very very blessed and cannot wait to get my dancing shoes on.’
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Age: 53
Profession: Former Chelsea and Netherlands striker and ex-England coach.
He says: ‘Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I’ve done before but I’m looking forward to tackling a fun challenge! Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals.’
Ellie Goldstein
Age: 23
Profession: Model, influencer and disability ambassador
She says: ‘It’s a show I’ve loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream’.
Chris Robshaw
Age: 39
Profession: Rugby player
He says: ‘This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! I’m hoping to take my dad-dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can’t wait to drag me along to her Zumba class’.
Stefan Dennis
Age: 66
Profession: Actor
He says: ‘Looking forward to the sparkle and reaching for the sky.’
Ross King
Age: 63
Profession: Showbiz correspondent
He says: ‘I can’t wait to learn from the best, meet my fellow contestants, and, most importantly… try not to step on too many toes!’
Lewis Cope
Age: 30
Profession: Actor
He says: ‘I’m so excited to be swapping the Dales for the dance floor and joining this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.’
