Overview

• Dani Dyer says an MRI confirmed a hairline ankle fracture and Strictly medics told her she could not compete because continuing would worsen the injury.
• She described being devastated, staying home to protect her mental health, and said partner Nikita Kuzmin was silent in shock for two minutes when she broke the news.
• Dyer recounted seeking a second opinion and shared on her podcast that her father, Danny Dyer, joked there had been private talk of him substituting.
• Amber Davies replaced Dyer with limited rehearsal time and opened with 27 points for a waltz with Kuzmin in the first live show.
• Amy Dowden, back after cancer treatment and last year's injury, said her husband urged caution as she trains with Thomas Skinner for week two, with Skinner publicly praising her and rallying votes.