TV personality and actress Dani Dyer is returning to the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom after a fractured ankle forced her out of last year’s series just before the launch show. The brand-new competition begins on Saturday, September 19, at 7:25 p.m. on BBC One and iPlayer.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to television screens with a star-studded lineup that includes Lacey Turner, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Jaime Winstone, and Will Best. For television personality Dani Dyer, however, the new season marks a second chance at the Glitterball trophy following a painful exit during last year’s rehearsals.
Overcoming Injury and Emotional Return to the Strictly Ballroom
Last year’s preparation ended abruptly for Dyer when she suffered a severe ankle fracture just before the recording of the launch show. Her sudden departure forced producers to find a replacement, with Amber Davies stepping in to eventually reach the final alongside professional partner Nikita Kuzmin. Reflecting on her difficult exit, Dyer shared the toll it took on her wellbeing.
It was so hard because I was having the best time of my life. [After I quit] I couldn’t leave the house, because I knew if someone said to me, ‘Are you OK?’, I’d just cry.
Dani Dyer, via AOL.co.uk
Now fully recovered, Dyer admits she experienced a wave of emotion when producers invited her back. When learning she had secured another opportunity, she confessed to becoming tearful and explained she refused to take her return for granted.
I cried when I got the call, I didn’t want to assume after everything that happened last year that I would get another chance. I can’t wait to finally get the opportunity to properly experience the Strictly journey.
Dani Dyer, via Radiotimes
Despite her excitement, the contestant acknowledges facing normal butterflies as the first live show approaches.
I’m probably most nervous about getting out on that dancefloor for the first time and being judged!
Dani Dyer, via AOL.co.uk
She added that her biggest fear is getting injured again
and noted that mastering the Quickstep particularly unnerves her.
Television Career and Famous Family Background
Dyer first captured public attention as an original contestant on Love Island in 2018, where she paired up with Jack Fincham to win the reality series. Although their romance ended several months later, her television career expanded into presenting and documentary work. She has since appeared as a guest reporter on The One Show, co-presented MTV’s True Love or True Lies?, made a guest appearance on EastEnders, and competed on Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.
Entertainment runs deep in her family. Her father is Danny Dyer, who rose to prominence through films like Human Traffic in 1999 and The Football Factory in 2004, before portraying Mick Carter in the BBC soap opera EastEnders from 2013 to 2022. The father-daughter duo frequently collaborate on screen, co-hosting the podcast Live and Let Dyers and starring in travel and factual programs together, including Absolutely Dyer: Danny and Dani Do Italy in 2023 and The Dyers’ Caravan Park set for 2026.
Family Life Away From the Cameras
Outside of her television projects, Dyer shares a family life with her husband, West Ham United footballer Jarrod Bowen. The couple initially met in 2021 when they became neighbours, with Dyer initially unaware of his professional football career when describing him as her attractive neighbour on the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast. They welcomed twins in 2023 and married in Buckinghamshire in 2025, with Bowen also stepping into the role of stepfather to Dyer’s son from a previous relationship.
With her recovery complete and her family cheering her on, Dyer is ready to embrace the physical challenges of the competition.
As long as I don’t trip over my own feet I will be happy!
Dani Dyer, via AOL.co.uk
With a supportive household and renewed determination, the television personality prepares to take to the dance floor for the upcoming series.
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