Nikita Kuzmin Mourns Dani Dyer’s Exit from Strictly Come Dancing

Dani Dyer has officially withdrawn from Strictly Come Dancing due to a significant injury, prompting a heartfelt response from her partner, professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin. The announcement was made on September 23, 2025, via the show’s official Instagram account, which stated, “Unfortunately, due to an injury, Dani Dyer is no longer able to compete in #Strictly 2025. She’ll be sorely missed and we wish her a speedy recovery.”

In a statement shared by the show, Dyer, 29, revealed that she sustained a fractured ankle after falling during rehearsals. She shared, “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. After an MRI scan yesterday, it turns out I have fractured my ankle.”

Expressing her disappointment, Dyer added, “To say I’m heartbroken is the biggest understatement. I will miss dancing with Nikita but will, of course, be watching closely and cheering all the couples on.” Her father, renowned actor Danny Dyer, has also expressed support for his daughter during this challenging time.

Following the announcement of Dyer‘s exit, Kuzmin took to Instagram to share his thoughts. In a post featuring moments from their rehearsals, the 27-year-old dancer said, “So so gutted to have finished our journey before it even properly started. The amount of laughs and fun we had in this short time was unbelievable!” He emphasized the strong bond they formed, stating, “I hope that one day we can actually get to week 1 lol, but health is the most important thing.”

In his message, Kuzmin conveyed his admiration for Dyer, writing, “Wishing you the absolute best, @danidyerxx! You’re so lovely, positive, and a wonderful human being! It breaks my heart knowing how excited you were to do your absolute best on the show!” He ended on a hopeful note, suggesting, “Hopefully we can pick up next year.”

Fans of the show expressed their disappointment in the comments section of Kuzmin‘s post. One user said, “Absolutely gutted. Was really looking forward to Team Danita getting to the final! I hope you both get a round 2 next year!” Another comment echoed this sentiment, wishing for Dyer‘s speedy recovery and a future chance for the pair to dance together again.

As Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, viewers are left to wonder about the impact of Dyer‘s exit on the competition and how Kuzmin will adapt in the coming weeks.