Strictly's Delta Goodrem "absolutely gutted" as injury forces her to miss Icons Week

Delta Goodrem will not take part in Strictly Come Dancing this weekend after injuring her rib. The Australian singer and her partner Kai Widdrington will be forced to miss out on Icons Week after medical professionals advised Delta to rest up.

In a statement released on Monday, 12 October, a Strictly Come Dancing spokesperson said: "Due to injury, Delta Goodrem has been advised by doctors to rest and, as a result, will not dance on this weekend's Strictly Come Dancing.

"In line with the rules of the show, Delta and Kai will receive a bye through to next week when it is hoped they will be able to dance again. We wish Delta the very best as she continues her recovery."

Delta herself added: "I’m absolutely gutted that a rib injury means I won’t be able to dance on Strictly this week. I’ve been loving every second of this experience, so having to sit this one out is heartbreaking - especially after the high of Saturday night."

She continued: "I can not tell you how much I love being a part of this magical show. I’m going to focus on resting and recovering, and hopefully I’ll be back on that dancefloor very soon.

"Thank you so much to everyone for all the love and support. It’s so appreciated. I’ll be cheering everyone on from the sidelines this week! Sending all my love, Delta xx," she added.

Strictly fans were quick to share their well wishes when the statement was posted on Instagram, as one person wrote: "Get well soon gorgeous girl!!!"

Another said: "Gutted for Delta, fingers crossed you can heal and rest up," and a third posted: "absolutely gutted but rest well and you’ll be back on that dance floor in no time."

Someone else added: "get well soon Delta, would've loved to have seen your icon routine," and another wrote: "Oh Delta get better soon sending so much love."

The news comes just hours after Melanie Walters was eliminated from the competition on Sunday (11 October) evening.

She and her professional partner, Aljaž Škorjanec, found themselves in the bottom two along with Shaun Wright-Phillips and Alexis Warr, and sadly it was Melanie who was sent home.

Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One and streams on BBC iPlayer.

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Kirsty is a freelance writer and editor specialising in all things entertainment. Over the past 16 years, she has worked on showbiz desks at various national newspaper websites in London, including Express.co.uk, The Sun, and MailOnline.

More recently, she spent three years living in New York City writing celebrity and lifestyle news for DailyMail.com, The Mirror US, and Daily Express US. Kirsty graduated from Southampton Solent with a BA in Magazine Journalism and Feature Writing. When she's not watching reruns of Sex and the City, you'll find her listening to David Bowie and daydreaming about an espresso martini.