Strictly Come Dancing's head judge Shirley Ballas is grilled about who is replacing Dani Dyer
Natasha Rigler | 10:06am Fri 26 Sep | Updated 12:58pm Fri 26 SepShirley Ballas has spoken out about who is replacing Dani Dyer after she quit Strictly Come Dancing.
The Strictly head judge, 65, broke her silence about Dani’s shock exit during an interview on ITV‘s This Morning.
Shirley was asked who would be stepping in to Dani’s ballroom shoes – and how 29-year-old Dani is feeling. The Love Island star has been forced to bow out of Strictly 2025 after fracturing her ankle.
Speaking to hosts Ben Shepherd and Cat Deeley, Shirley said: “She fell on her ankle, twisted it and has a hairline fracture. I spoke to her; she is absolutely mortified and devastated. I said to her, ‘Sometimes these pivoting moments… you could come back next year. Like Jamie did. He came back and made the final’.”
Shirley was referring to Jamie Laing. The former Made In Chelsea star damaged a tendon in his foot while recording the 2019 launch show. He was unable to compete that year as a result but returned in 2020.
Head judge Shirley wished Dani a speedy recovery and insisted it is “health first” when it comes to Strictly Come Dancing.
She was then asked if a new celebrity will be replacing her. Shirley replied: “I did speak to the executive producer and tried to get an answer. But they are hustling and bustling to see what they can do and how they can do it.
“We’re a dancer down, so whether somebody’s not going to go home the first week or something like that. But let’s hope they get somebody else and somebody else gets the opportunity to share our show.”
Strictly 2025: Dani’s shock exit
Dani announced on Tuesday evening that she was withdrawing from this year’s series following an injury. The reality star said she has been left “heartbroken” by it.
In an emotional statement, Dani said: “I had a fall on Friday in rehearsals and landed funny. I thought I had rolled my foot but it swelled up badly over the weekend and after an MRI scan, it turns out I have fractured my ankle.
“Apparently doing the quickstep on a fracture is not advisable(!!) and the doctors have said I am not allowed to dance so l’ve had to pull out of the show. To say I’m heartbroken is the biggest understatement. I am so going to miss dancing with Nikita but will of course be watching closely and cheering all the couples on.”
Dani was partnered with pro dancer Nikita Kuzmin on the show. They – along with the other 14 celebrities taking part this year – had been gearing up for the first live show of the series.
Dani was partnered on Strictly with Nikita Kuzmin [Credit: BBC]
Viewers react to Dani’s ‘replacement’
TVGuide has contacted Strictly for comment on who will replace Dani Dyer on Strictly. But show bosses are currently remaining tight-lipped. Viewers of the BBC show have, however, been having their say online.
Writing on Reddit, some fans suggested Dani’s famous dad, Marching Powder and EastEnders actor Danny Dyer, would be perfect. One Strictly viewers wrote: “Danny Dyer seems the obvious replacement. Preferably still dancing with Nikita.”
Another agreed: “I actually think they’d both have a cracking time with this.” And a third said: “Surely Danny Dyer to step in as her replacement???”
Others wondered if Irish TV personality, Vogue Williams, could fill Dani’s spot. Vogue took part in the 2024 Strictly Christmas special, alongside current contestant Harry Aikines-Aryeetey – aka Gladiators’ Nitro. She was partnered with Gorka Marquez.
Given the very short notice before the first live show, one viewer suggested: “I think it’d be good if they got someone from Christmas to replace her and let them do one of the dances they learned previously…Vogue.”
What time is Strictly Come Dancing on?
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 6.55pm this Saturday September 27. Although viewers won’t get to vote for their favourites, the judges – Shirley, Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood – will be scoring the Week 1 dances.
There is no elimination this weekend, meaning there there won’t be a Sunday Results show. The judges’ scores will be carried over to Week 2, when the public vote will also open for the first time.
