Delta Goodrem Hospitalized Twice for Rib Injury, Strictly Future Uncertain
The Australian singer was rushed to the hospital after performing through significant pain, prompting a review of her participation in the competition.
Strictly star Delta Goodrem has been hospitalized twice after performing through a painful rib injury, leaving her future on the show in doubt.
Goodrem, 41, was confirmed on Monday to have paused training due to the injury. She will miss this Saturday's Icons Week performances, with her and professional partner Kai Widdrington receiving a bye to the following week.
Sources revealed that Goodrem sustained the injury during training last week but performed her Salsa routine, which included complex lifts, on Saturday's live show. The performance earned her and Widdrington the top spot on the leaderboard for the second consecutive week.
Hours after the show, Goodrem was taken to A&E due to sleeplessness caused by the pain. She returned to the hospital on Monday, where doctors advised her to rest. She is currently recovering at home with her husband, musician Matt Copley.
"Delta has been pushing herself as far as possible to impress Strictly viewers. A small injury at the start of last week has quickly deteriorated," a source told The Sun. "On Saturday night, despite putting on a brave face and smiling, she was in absolute agony."
The source added that "the plan was to go home and get some rest but she could hardly sleep." Goodrem is now in a "race to be fit to return," as Strictly rules allow contestants only one bye before potential withdrawal.
Details of Goodrem's injury were shared on the Strictly spin-off show, It Takes Two, on Monday night. Goodrem, who was set to portray Olivia Newton-John, stated she is "absolutely gutted" but has been "advised by doctors to rest."
In a statement read by It Takes Two host Ellie Taylor, Goodrem wrote: "I'm absolutely gutted that a rib injury means I won't be able to dance on Strictly this 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 continued: "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. Thank you so much to everyone for all the love and support. It's so appreciated. I'll be cheering everyone on from the sidelines this week! Sending all my love, Delta xx"
A Strictly spokesperson confirmed that doctors have advised the star to rest to ensure her ability to compete in subsequent weeks. "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," the spokesperson said. "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."
Meanwhile, on Sunday's results show, Melanie Walters and Aljaz Skorjanec became the second couple eliminated from Strictly. Walters faced the dance-off after receiving a score of 17 on Saturday. Shaun Wright-Phillips and his partner Alexis Warr, who scored 15, also faced elimination. After both couples performed again, Walters was eliminated by the judges' decision.