Delta Goodrem Cleared to Return to Strictly Come Dancing After Rib Injury

Delta Goodrem’s return to Strictly Come Dancing is set for Saturday after medical professionals cleared her to dance following a rib injury. The Australian singer missed Icons Week, but she and partner Kai Widdrington have resumed training, with Widdrington describing their first session back as a positive start.

The comeback brings the immediate focus back to the dance floor, though Widdrington says the pair are taking “baby steps” and remain conscious of the injury. That balance will shape their preparation: they need a routine ready for the live show, while making sure Goodrem can perform it after time away from training.

Strictly confirmed the update alongside a picture of the pair in their rehearsal room. The announcement said Goodrem had received a bye last week and was cleared to dance again this weekend. It also said Abi Clarke would visit the rehearsal room for a chat on Training Room Diaries on Wednesday evening.

A measured return to training

Widdrington spoke about Goodrem’s progress at the Pride of Britain Awards 2026, where he attended without a dance partner. The 31-year-old, who joined Strictly in 2021, said he had spent the previous week away from training and “playing golf and anything but training.” He was glad to be back in the studio with Goodrem, he said, and their first session had gone well.

His account points to a careful restart rather than an instant return to full preparation. “We are moving forward, dancing as normal, but we are aware, as we have to give a good performance this week,” he said. He praised Goodrem’s professional approach, saying she was applying herself well and bringing experience from her own field into the competition.

Widdrington also laid out how he sees their roles in the process. His job, he said, is to make sure the routine is good; the pair’s awareness of the injury will guide how they work through it. That leaves the choreography and the demands of Saturday’s performance to be assessed together as training continues.

There is little room for a long build-up before the next live show. The pair have returned to the studio with the weekend approaching, so each session has to help them judge what is manageable and prepare the routine accordingly. Widdrington’s comments suggest they are proceeding carefully while still aiming to dance as normal.

Support after a difficult week

Goodrem’s absence came after a difficult week. She had reportedly been hospitalised twice because of the rib injury, and the medical advice meant she could not perform on Saturday. Under Strictly’s rules, she received a bye through to the following week.

Host Emma Willis explained the situation to the audience before the show began. She said Goodrem had suffered an injury and would not dance on the medical team’s advice.

Watching from home, Goodrem responded in a video: “I love you too. Thanks, team. It’s been a rough week. Love you guys!” Earlier, she had told followers she was recovering and needed time to process the setback and listen to what her body was telling her. She also said she was looking forward to watching the other contestants perform their Icons Week routines.

Radebe’s message moved Goodrem to tears during the broadcast. The moment offered a public glimpse of the support around her while she was away from the competition. She later thanked people who had sent messages and kind comments, writing that their support had meant the world to her.

The response to the return announcement was warmly received by fellow contestants and presenters. Tabby Stoecker wrote that she was happy Goodrem was feeling better. New professional dancer Mark Karmalita called the update great news, while It Takes Two presenter Ellie Taylor responded with a celebratory “Hurrah.” Fans also shared their relief after the injury had forced Goodrem to miss the previous show.

That support sets up a return with plenty of goodwill behind it, but the performance itself will depend on how the rehearsals go. Goodrem now has medical clearance, and she and Widdrington are back in the studio. Their next test is turning that careful restart into a routine they can deliver on Saturday.

Strictly Come Dancing returns this Saturday evening on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.