Dani Dyer’s Strictly partner Nikita Kuzmin teases comeback ‘next year’ after ankle injury

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Dani Dyer’s Strictly Come Dancing partner Nikita Kuzmin has teased a potential comeback for the pair next year after she was forced to pull out with an injury.

The TV personality, 29, was paired with professional dancer Nikita, 27, for this year’s series, but suffered a fractured ankle in training.

Anticipation had been through the roof for the daughter of national treasure Danny Dyer, with the bookies even seeing her as a favourite to take home the trophy.

Now, however, it appears that Dani is eyeing a return to the competition sooner than expected after BBC bosses left the door open.

Writing on Instagram, Nikita said he was ‘gutted’ that their journey finished ‘before it even properly started’, adding that ‘hopefully we can pick up next year’.

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Responding, Dani said: ‘I’m crying again, thank you for being the best teacher ever… going to miss our laughs & dancing with you. Let’s try again one day and sort our team name.’

Dani Dyer will no longer compete in Strictly Come Dancing due to an injury (Picture: PA Wire) The star’s withdrawal has left fans ‘absolutely gutted’ (Picture: BBC/Ray Burmiston)

Nikita went on to say that he ‘really loved’ their partnership and one day hoped that ‘we can get back to week one’ while insisting that ‘health is the most important thing’.

He added: ‘I’m wishing you the absolute best @danidyerxx. You’re so lovely, positive and a wonderful human being!! And it breaks my heart knowing how excited you were to do your absolute best on the show!’

In a statement, the BBC confirmed that they ‘hope to welcome her back to the ballroom in the future’.

On Tuesday, Dani said on social media: ‘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 yesterday, 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.’

Not long after the announcement, she went on to share a video on social media addressing her exit.

‘Hi guys, I’m going to do this, and try and do this without crying, but yeah, I’m so heartbroken, like I’ve not felt like this in such a long time,’ she told her 3.7 million Instagram followers.

‘I was having the best time ever… It’s a very, very annoying, devastating thing that I’m kind of going through right now, but I’m probably just going to have a few days off my socials just to, you know, process things.

‘I just want to thank you all so much for all your love and support. But yeah, I’m gutted, I’m absolutely gutted.’

She added: ‘I love everyone, everyone at Strictly is absolutely amazing. All the couples, I’m going to miss them so much. I will eventually come along and cheer them on. I just want to thank you all so much.’

After the initial announcement, fellow celebrities and dancers rushed to express how ‘gutted’ they were by the news.

Strictly pro Johannes Radebe said: ‘Gutted for you both, take care of yourself,’ as Amy Dowden wished her a ‘speedy recovery’ and sent ‘so much love’.

Judge and Strictly legend Shirley Ballas added: ‘I’m so so sorry. But health is most important. Get well soon Angel. ❤️’

Dani is the second celebrity this year after Kristian Nairn who has had to withdraw (Picture: John Lamparski/Getty Images) Many are calling for Dani’s famous dad, Danny, to step in (Picture: Getty)

This is not the first time the show has had to navigate a withdrawal after Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn had to withdraw before stepping foot on the dancefloor.

He announced that he had to withdraw due to medical reasons, and the show was able to replace him with Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope.

Strictly has had previous experience in replacing contestants after the show has already started.

In 2019, Jamie Laing was forced to withdraw after suffering a foot injury in rehearsals between the launch and first live show – much like Dani.

Eventually, he was replaced by Emmerdale’s Kelvin Fletcher, who went on to win the series. Although even then, Dani’s withdrawal comes just three days before the first live show, which is cutting it extremely fine.

There has been no confirmation yet from the BBC whether she will be replaced or the show will go on without anyone replacing her.

Strictly Come Dancing is available to watch on BBC.

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