Dani Dyer has revealed the extent of her foot injury after being forced to withdraw from Strictly Come Dancing before the first live show. The 29-year-old Love Island winner shared a photo of her bandaged foot on Instagram, describing the past weeks as 'really testing' on her mental health.
Dyer fractured her ankle during a rehearsal following the pre-recorded launch show. Her dance partner Nikita Kuzmin has since been paired with fellow Love Islander Amber Davies. However, the BBC has told Dyer she is welcome to return next year if she wishes.
Speaking on her podcast, Live and Let Dyers, Dyer emotionally recalled the moment she realised her Strictly journey was over. 'The doctor said to me, if I continue dancing on this foot, it's not going to heal, it's going to get worse and worse,' she said. She added that she couldn't leave the house because she was so sad and likely to cry.
Dyer's father, actor Danny Dyer, offered support, telling her to 'pull up them big girl knickers and get on with it'. Her husband, West Ham footballer Jarrod Bowen, has also been a source of strength. 'We've really bonded over this injury because Jarrod gets it,' she said.
Despite the setback, Dyer has been slowly returning to exercise and spending time with her three children. She has also treated herself to a head massage. The door remains open for a Strictly return next year, following the precedent set by Jamie Laing, who returned after a similar injury.
