Strictly Come Dancing 2025: Clue to Alex Kingston's painful injury revealed as she breaks silence
The actress battled through Blackpool without saying anythingAlex Kingston has broken her silence on her secret Strictly Come Dancing injury.
The ER actress, 62, has spoken out after fans spotted a huge clue that she was quietly suffering in Blackpool.
We can reveal that Alex had been caught on camera backstage with medical taping clearly visible through her ballgown.
Sharing the pictures, an eagle-eyed fan wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter: “Is that tape on her ribs???? My poor baby, god please don’t let this ruin Alex’s dream.”
Alex’s daughter, Salome Violetta Haertel, later confirmed the star had battled on throughout the live show after dislocating her rib. Alex has also given an update herself.
The actress wrote on Instagram: “I just want to assure everyone that I am completely fine. It is a minor injury. It’s all part and parcel of dancing at this levels.
“The comment was made by my concerned and loving daughter… nothing more. I will be on the dance floor as early as tomorrow morning rehearsing. Super excited for next week. Cha-cha-cha!”
Strictly Come Dancing: Alex Kingston’s rib injury
Alex’s daughter caused slight alarm over the weekend with her message about her mum. It came as La Voix pulled out of this year’s Strictly series after badly injuring her foot.
Salome had written on a clip of Alex shared to Strictly’s Instagram account: “So so proud!!! Slayed the dance floor, dislocated rib and all!!!”
One fan replied: “Your mum is a superstar (you already knew that) – please send her my love and healing thoughts. Really hope it doesn’t hamper her from continuing – she has my votes every week!”
is that tape on her ribs???? my poor baby😭 god please don't let this bs ruin alex's dream 😭😭 #Strictly pic.twitter.com/FWHeYQKWZF
— the bitchiest of lasagnas (@oceanballadsimp) November 23, 2025
Another Strictly viewer wrote: “Sending your mum all our love. What an amazing woman, powering through the pain like that!” And someone else added: “She did amazingly with an injury! Hope she recovers enough to continue.”
Alex had made no mention of her injury during Saturday night’s live show, which was the 2025 Blackpool Special. Filmed in the famous Tower Ballroom, she and partner Johannes Radebe pulled off a Couple’s Choice.
The judges – Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood – awarded the pair a total of 35 points. They also did not mention that she is nursing a painful injury.
La Voix’s Strictly exit
It was announced at the start of Saturday night’s show that La Voix has pulled out of the competition. The drag star – real name Chris Dennis – has suffered a serious foot injury.
The Strictly Results show was scrapped as a result of La Voix’s exit. Earlier in the series, Neighbours star also Stefan Dennis withdrew after injuring his leg. BBC bosses decided to step in and cancel the latest elimination as a result.
If a celebrity had left the competition on Sunday night following a dance-off in Blackpool, it would have left just two couples in this year’s final.
There has never been a two couple final in Strictly’s 21-year history.
Strictly Come Dancing 2025: Who is left?
There are six couples left in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing. They are Alex and Johannes, Lewis Cope and Katya Jones and George Clarke and Alexis Warr.
Karen Carney and Carlos Gu, Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin, and Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon also remain.
Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One this Saturday November 29, 2025. The live show starts at 6.35pm and is on for 90 minutes, ending at 8.05pm.
Someone will leave the competition during Sunday night’s Strictly: The Results Show. The scores and votes from Blackpool will be combined with the latest ones, leaving two people in the dance-off. The judges will pick who goes.
Singer Myles Smith will be providing the entertainment. Let’s hope Alex is back on form!
