Strictly Come Dancing fans are desperate to know who is replacing Dani Dyer after she quit the BBC show.

The reality star, 29, has been forced to withdraw from the 2025 series after fracturing her ankle.

Dani, along with the other 14 celebrities competing in Strictly this year, had been gearing up for this weekend’s first live show.

But what happens next? Will Dani be replaced in Strictly Come Dancing and who will fill her ballroom shoes? Here’s everything we know so far.

Strictly Come Dancing: What happens when someone quits?

Strictly Come Dancing has different rules for when someone quits the show. If it is early on, they quickly replace the celebrity with somebody else. And this has already happened once this year.

Game of Thrones actor Kristian Nairn was in the original Strictly Come Dancing 2025 line-up. But less than a week after his name was revealed, Kristian withdrew from the show on medical grounds.

Within hours, Strictly had announced Kristian’s replacement. It was revealed Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope would be taking his spot in the BBC show.

But if it is later in the series, Strictly don’t always replace the celebrity.

In 2020, boxer Nicola Adams was forced to withdraw from the show in Week 4 after her partner, Katya Jones, tested positive for Covid. As it was during the pandemic, they had to leave. Strictly did not replace them.

In early December 2007, Kelly Brook withdrew from Strictly when her father died. Again, it was too late in the series for her to be replaced.

Fans may also remember when Will Bayley left. The Paralympian needed surgery on his knee following an accident in rehearsals in October 2019. He had been practicing for that weekend’s Halloween special when he fell. Even though the competition was only midway through, Will was not replaced.

What happened to Jamie Laing?

Dani’s Strictly experience almost mirrors that of Jamie Laing’s. In 2019, the Made In Chelsea star was forced to withdraw from Strictly Come Dancing before the live shows had even begun – just like Dani.

Jamie was recording the launch show alongside his fellow celebrity contestants when he hurt his foot. Jamie landed awkwardly and damaged one of his tendons, leaving him on crutches.

Although he was seen in the pre-recorded episode when it aired, he did not compete in the series. But Strictly bosses immediately jumped into action and brought in a replacement.

Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher stepped in at the last minute. Despite his rushed start, the actor went on to win the series with professional partner, Oti Mabuse.

But Jamie’s Strictly journey didn’t end there. The TV star was invited back to compete in the show the following year. Jamie, who had completely recovered from his injury, was partnered with Karen Hauer. They finished the series as runners-up.

This means there is a very good chance that Strictly Come Dancing will announce a replacement for Dani.

Who will replace Dani Dyer on Strictly?

TVGuide has contacted Strictly for comment on who will replace Dani Dyer on Strictly. But although bosses are staying tight-lipped for now, fans of the show know who they want to partner up with her pro dancer, Nikita Kumzin.

Writing on Reddit, some viewers think Dani’s famous dad, Marching Powder and EastEnders actor Danny Dyer, would be perfect. One fan 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???”

Other fans have suggested Irish TV personality, Vogue Williams. 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 that the first live show is just three days away, 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.”

Someone else added: “Vogue would probably be the only option out of the Christmas lot then, as I doubt they’d have a third soap start or another drag queen.”

The poster is referring to last year’s festive contestants, actress Tamzin Outhwaite and RuPaul’s Drag Race star Tayce. This year, soap stars Balvinder Sopal, Lewis Cope and Stefan Dennis are all competing. La Voix, another face from RuPaul, is also in the line-up.

When is Strictly on next?

The BBC hasn’t got long to find a replacement for Dani Dyer. The first Week 1 live show airs this weekend, at 6.55pm on Saturday September 27, 2025. Fans can watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

There will be no Results show this weekend, which means there is also no public vote, either. The judges will give their scores and they will be carried over to Week 2, when fans can start voting for their favourite.

Will we tune in to see a new face on our screens? Only time will tell!

Read more: Strictly It Takes Two: Janette Manrara and Fleur East return as hosts of BBC spin-off as start date is confirmed

Strictly Come Dancing is next on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 6.55pm on Saturday September 27, 2025.