Delta Goodrem Pulls Out of Strictly Come Dancing Due to Rib Injury

Singer Delta Goodrem has been forced to withdraw from the upcoming live show of Strictly Come Dancing due to a rib injury, just days after achieving the top score on the leaderboard. Goodrem, 41, will not compete with the remaining 12 couples during this weekend's Icons Week. Instead, she and professional partner Kai Widdrington will be granted a bye to the following week's competition.

Goodrem expressed her disappointment, stating she is "absolutely gutted" to miss the show after her successful performance last week. "I've been loving every second of this experience, so having to sit this one out is heartbreaking – especially after the high of Saturday night," she shared in a statement read on It Takes Two. "I cannot tell you how much I love being a part of this magical show. I'm going to focus on resting and recovering, and hopefully I'll be back on that dancefloor very soon."

A spokesperson for Strictly Come Dancing confirmed the decision, stating, "Due to injury, Delta Goodrem has been advised by doctors to rest and, as a result, will not dance on this weekend's Strictly Come Dancing. In line with the rules of the show, Delta and Kai will receive a bye through to next week when it is hoped they will be able to dance again. We wish Delta the very best as she continues her recovery."

Goodrem and Widdrington had topped the leaderboard in the second week of the competition with their Salsa, earning praise from the judges and a score of 33 points. This setback follows the elimination of Melanie Walters and Aljaz Skorjanec, who became the second couple to leave the competition on Sunday's results show after facing Shaun Wright-Phillips and Alexis Warr in the dance-off.