Delta Goodrem Returns to Strictly Dancefloor After Rib Injury

Delta Goodrem made a celebrated return to the Strictly Come Dancing dancefloor on Saturday night, following a week's absence due to a rib injury. The Australian singer and her professional partner Kai Widdrington performed a Rumba to Celine Dion's "It's All Coming Back To Me."

Viewers took to social media platform X to share their happiness at Goodrem's comeback. Comments included "WELCOME BACK DELTA GOODREM!" and "It's great to see Delta back; Delta is back and gorgeous as ever." Another user expressed, "So thrilled Delta’s back on that floor this week, I’m hoping she knocks her dance out of the park."

Goodrem, 41, had been ordered to rest by doctors after the injury prevented her from training the previous week. She received a pass through to the next round due to the setback. In week three, she had topped the leaderboard for the second consecutive week after performing a Salsa. However, hours after that live broadcast, she was taken to hospital due to severe pain.

Earlier in the day on Saturday, Goodrem detailed the extent of her injury in an emotional video posted on Instagram. The video showed her in hospital the Sunday after her injury, stating, "This is very painful, praying that this is OK. Feeling a little nauseous from the pain." A clip from Monday showed her holding back tears as she explained, "They explained that it is fracturing my rib, which I feel very, very gutted about." She added, "Hopefully I'll get back next week, that's the plan. Thanks everyone for the support, I'm just super disappointed."

Strictly rules allow a contestant one pass before they must withdraw from the competition. Goodrem's injury had led doctors to advise her to sleep upright to aid recovery.

Following her return, other contestants also took to the dancefloor. Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu performed a Foxtrot, receiving mixed feedback from the judges. Lawrence Robb and Jowita Przystał's Jive was met with harsh criticism. Graeme Hall and Lauren Oakley performed a Tango, earning praise for being the "best ballroom dance of the series so far" from Anton Du Beke. New dad Will Best and Dianne Buswell performed a Cha Cha, scoring 31 points. Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu danced an Argentine Tango, receiving 25 points.

Shaun Wright-Phillips and Alexis Warr performed a Jive, which was called a "complete jive dis-ah-ster" by Craig Revel Horwood. Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin delivered a Salsa, earning favorable feedback for a "powerful comeback." EastEnders actress Lacey Turner and Vito Coppola danced a Tango, with judges noting "exceptional commitment" but also "manic" movements. Love Island star Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby performed a Cha Cha, but a slip-up led to stern feedback. Tabby Stoecker and Mark Karmalita's Couple's Choice earned 37 points, placing them at the top of the leaderboard. YouTuber John Nellis and Katya Jones concluded the night with a Quickstep, scoring 32 points.

Goodrem captioned her Instagram post, "I filmed little moments over the past two weeks to remind myself that even on the frustrating days, there would be progress." She added, "I was gutted when the injury happened as I've been truly loving this experience so much. It's hard to be patient when you want to be full force again but I've been listening, taking things carefully and learning to appreciate the small steps! Heading into show day feeling grateful to be able to take a few more tonight with all the incredible help from everyone around me. To all my warriors out there in your own battles i see you and am with you – we are fighters! #Teamdeltakai will see you tonight."