Strictly's Delta Goodrem is forced to pull out of this weekend's live show following a rib injury just days after she topped the leaderboard

Delta Goodrem is left 'heartbroken' as she is forced to pull out of this weekend's Strictly Come Dancing following a serious rib injury. 

The singer, 41, will not be joining the remaining 12 couples on Saturday as they take to the dancefloor for Icons Week, instead Delta and professional partner Kai Widdrington will be given a bye into next week. 

Delta, who was meant to portray Olivia Newton-John as her Icon, explained that she is 'absolutely gutted' after topping the leaderboard with her Salsa but has been 'advised by doctors to rest'.

Sharing a statement on It Takes Two on Monday, host Ellie Taylor read: '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. 

'I cannot 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.'

Delta Goodrem is left 'heartbroken' as she is forced to pull out of this weekend's Strictly Come Dancing following a serious rib injury

The singer, 41, will not be joining the remaining 12 couples on Saturday as they take to the dancefloor for Icons Week, instead she and Kai Widdrington will be given a bye into next week 

She added: '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'

A Strictly spokesman added that doctors have advised the star to rest so she will be able to compete the week after. 

They 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.'

It has since been revealed that Delta first got injured during training last week but she battled through the pain to perform on Saturday night. 

The singer and Kai went on to top the leaderboard for a second week as they performed a Salsa to Always There/Ain't Nobody by Jocelyn Brown/Chaka Khan.

Loving what she saw, Motsi gushed: 'Brought the D.I.S.C.O, absolutely loved it, your highlight!' with an excited Craig noting: 'a-may-zing!'

And the judges were as generous with their scores as they were with their feedback, awarding the Australian singer and her partner 33 points – the highest score of the series so far. 

However, hours after performing Delta was struggling to manage her pain and went to A&E for treatment.  

She was back in hospital on Monday and has since been advised to rest to allow her injury to recover.  

A source told The Sun: 'Delta has been pushing herself as far as possible to impress Strictly viewers. A small injury at the start of last week has quickly deteriorated.

'On Saturday night, despite putting on a brave face and smiling, she was in absolute agony. Filming didn't wrap until late Saturday night and she was exhausted. The plan was to go home and get some rest but she could hardly sleep.

'On Sunday morning she was raced to A&E and then spent most of Monday also at the hospital. Delta is heartbroken. The severity of the situation isn't lost on her. The clock is ticking and all she can do is rest and pray things work out.'

Delta explained that she is 'absolutely gutted' after topping the leaderboard with her Salsa but has been 'advised by doctors to rest'

A BBC 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. In line with the rules of the show, Delta and Kai will receive a bye through to next week'

Strictly Week 3 leaderboard 

 Celebrity and dance partner 

Delta Goodrem and Kai Widdrington 

Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby

Tabby Stoecker and Mark Karmalita 

Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu 

Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin 

Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu 

Lacey Turner and Vito Coppola 

Graeme Hall and Lauren Oakley 

Will Best and Dianne Buswell

Dame Sarah Storey and Julian Caillon 

John Nellis and Katya Jones

Lawrence Robb and Jowita Przystał

Melanie Walters and Aljaž Škorjanec

Shaun Wright-Phillips and Alexis Warr

 Score

33

31

31

28

27

27

26

25

25

20

20

20

17

15 

Meanwhile on Sunday's results show, Melanie Walters and Aljaz Skorjanec became the second couple to leave Strictly. 

The Gavin and Stacey star found herself fighting for survival in the dance-off after receiving a score of 17 on Saturday. 

Joining her at risk were former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips and his partner Alexis Warr, who had finished last on the leaderboard with 15 points. 

But after both performing again it was Melanie who found herself hanging up her dancing shoes having failed to impress the judges with her Charleston to Ooh Ahh... Just A Little Bit by Gina G.

Receiving one vote from Motsi Mabuse, the other three judges Shirley, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton chose to save Shaun and Alexis. 

Leaving the competition, Melanie looked to be fighting back tears as she said: 'Well to tell you the truth, I thought I was going to be out last week so I have had an extra week with this wonderful soul.'

Aljaz told the star: 'It is difficult to put into words, but if I was going to say something profound and beautiful it wasn't going to be looking like this. 

He added: 'Look you are an ultimate professional at what you do and that's why you are so successful in what you do and you showed me what hard work really is. 

'We started every day with 'partner let's have the best day ever' so let's finish this with a hug and thank you for every single bit in rehearsals and every single step on that floor. Thank you.' 

They then took to the floor for the last time for a final twirl as Melanie wished her fellow contestants all the best for the rest of the competition.  

The couple will join Ellie Taylor on Strictly It Takes Two on Monday at 6.30pm.

STRICTLY COME DANCING 2026: MEET THE CONTESTANTS

LACEY TURNER 

AGE: 38

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Stacey Slater on BBC's EastEnders 

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I'm so excited and terrified at the same time but I've had so many friends do Strictly and I thought it was about time that I plunked up the courage and made my way onto that dance floor.'

DELTA GOODREM

AGE: 41

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Played Nina Tucker in Neighbours and has released eight music albums

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career - from tv, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor!'

CACH MERCER

AGE: 25

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Won Love Island 2025 and is a TikTok influencer

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!'

DAME SARAH STOREY

AGE: 48

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Britain's most successful Paralympian 

WHY STRICTLY?: 'Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.'

BETHANY ANTONIA 

AGE: 28

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Lady Baela Targaryen in House of the Dragon

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill.'

GRAEME 'THE DOGFATHER' HALL

AGE: 59

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Channel 5 series Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I have watched the show for years, so to be a part of it feels like a very exciting challenge, albeit more than a bit nerve-wracking!'

TABBY STOECKER 

AGE: 25

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Olympic champion skeleton racer

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve had the wildest year of my life so far, so to be rounding it off with a childhood dream of dancing in the Strictly ballroom is surreal and I can’t wait to get stuck in!'

MELANIE WALTERS 

AGE: 64

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Gwen West in BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey

WHY STRICTLY?: 'Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room.'

DANI DYER

AGE: 30

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Winning Love Island and being the daughter of actor Danny Dyer

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one!'

CHRIS APPLETON

AGE: 43

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hairdresser to the stars - including Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience. I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new.'

WILL BEST

AGE: 41

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Big Brother and previously TV

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait!'

JAIME WINSTONE

AGE: 41

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Starring in films such as Kidulthood and Tomb Raider

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me.'

SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS 

AGE: 44

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Footballer who played for the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City

WHY STRICTLY?: 'Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I’m super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!'

LAWRENCE ROBB

AGE: 34

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Mackenzie Boyd on ITV's Emmerdale

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I can't quite believe that I am going to be getting my dancing shoes on this September on one of my favourite shows of all time!'

JOHN NELLIS 

AGE: 33

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Face of a popular football-focused YouTube channel

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I can't wait to meet everyone, learn a new skill and, hopefully, be much better at family parties by the end of it!'