Who will replace Dani Dyer on Strictly? All we know on Nikita's fate after shock exit

There is chaos behind the scenes of Strictly Come Dancing following the news that Dani Dyer-Bowen has had to pull out of the series.

The 29-year-old, who won Love Island in 2018 and took part in Celebrity MasterChef in 2023, said she was "heartbroken" to not be able to compete in the show, after fracturing her ankle during rehearsals.

She is the second contestant to have quit the series, following the departure of Game of Thrones actor and DJ Kristian Nairn, who pulled out for medical reasons last month. It's something of a headache for Strictly bosses; the series only broadcast its launch show on Saturday, with the live shows set to get underway this weekend.

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Dani, who was paired with the professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin, told her Instagram followers she needs to take a “few days off my socials” to process her shock exit.

Holding back tears, she said in the video on Tuesday night: "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.

"I was having the best time ever … It's just [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."

In a statement shared earlier on Tuesday, she 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 yesterday, it turns out I have fractured my ankle.

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"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."

She added: "I am so going to miss dancing with Nikita but will of course be watching closely and cheering all the couples on."

Sarah James, executive producer at BBC Studios, said: "Dani has brought so much passion, joy and enthusiasm to Strictly, and her partnership with Nikita was off to the most sensational start.

"Everyone on the show is incredibly sad that she's no longer able to compete... We send her all our love and best wishes for a swift recovery, and we very much hope to welcome her back to the ballroom in the future."

Dani's exit has sparked speculation as to whether she will be replaced on the show. And on Wednesday, rumours began to swirl that 22-year-old Waterloo Road actress Tillie Amartey could be stepping into her dancing shoes.

A source told The Sun: "Tillie recently quit her role on Waterloo Road telling pals it was to make way for 'another big' project, which could be a game changer for her career. She's been making several trips from her Leeds home to London for discussions with TV execs in recent weeks.

"The feeling is that if she is filling the shoes vacated by Dani, the programme needs another young, glam woman to take her spot."

However, when asked by the Mirror about a possible replacement for Dani, the BBC declined to comment.

Responding to the news of Dani's departure on social media, Strictly professional Dianne Buswell wrote: "I'm so sorry Dani and Nikita. We will miss you so much xx." Judge Shirley Ballas also sent a message saying: "I'm so so sorry. But health is most important. Get well soon Angel." Dani's dad, Danny Dyer, shared a broken heart emoji.

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Kristian Nairn, meanwhile, had been the fifteenth and final celebrity contestant confirmed for the new series of Strictly. But the DJ and actor - best known for playing Hodor in Game of Thrones - had to withdraw from the upcoming series of Strictly due to health reasons.

Kristian said it was "with a heavy heart" that he was stepping back. "I was truly looking forward to the journey, and I'm deeply sorry to disappoint anyone who was looking forward to seeing me on the dance floor."

He added: "Thank you all for your support, and I will be back on my feet very soon, in every sense. Love to all, Kristian."

The actor has been replaced on the show, with Emmerdale star Lewis Cope now partnered up with Katya Jones.

He has proven to be a controversial choice; Lewis starred in the West End's Billy Elliot and even made the final of Sky's Got To Dance series in 2013 aged 18.

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But his partner, Katya Jones, has come to his defence, telling the Radio Times: "I think everyone's aware that Lewis can move and I'm looking forward to turning him into a ballroom dancer. But unlearning habits is harder than blank-canvas learning."

In reply to the criticism, Mr Cope added: "I haven't worn a pair of tap shoes in 17 years."

Injury hasn't been the only issue behind the scenes at Strictly.

Outspoken contestant Thomas Skinner has caused a huge problem with details of his previous affair recently coming to light. BBC bosses have also reportedly been left frustrated by his Twitter rants, admitting they cannot control how Thomas behaves on social media.

But insiders believe he might go the distance given the public's history of backing trouble-makers, and the support of Amy Dowden’s army of loyal fans.

One source said: "It's a tricky one, he's not BBC staff so there is nothing that can be done about his social media posts other than ask his management to have a gentle word, and they might not want to.

"And because the public tends to like controversial figures, at least at the start, the feeling is he's unlikely to be among the first to go, and could actually stay in for quite a stretch. Amy has a lot of love behind her and that is sure to help him."