Amy Dowden Returns with Kai Widdrington for Strictly Icons Week

Amy Dowden will return to the Strictly Come Dancing floor this weekend, dancing with Kai Widdrington. The professional dancer was eliminated in the first week of the 2026 series with celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton. Her comeback comes as singer Delta Goodrem, Widdrington's original partner, is forced to sit out Icons Week with a rib injury.

Dowden said she was 'gutted' about her early exit with Appleton. She noted he grew in confidence from their first day to Saturday night and felt there was 'so much more to come' from their partnership. Her new pairing with Widdrington was confirmed on the spin-off show It Takes Two.

Icons Week preparations and themes

Week four of the competition is Icons Week, airing on Saturday, 17 October. Amy Dowden has teased a 'phenomenal' live show. The week's group number is themed around pop icon Madonna, with Dowden calling the choreography 'very tough' and noting her wrists were hurting from the rehearsal.

Vogue Williams confirmed on It Takes Two that Dowden and Widdrington will perform their routine to Dolly Parton's classic song 'Jolene'. Other celebrities are preparing tributes to a range of music legends.

Lawrence Robb revealed he will be channelling Ricky Martin, while Graeme Hall teased a Salsa. Tabby Stoecker's dance details are yet to be announced.

Delta Goodrem’s absence and scores

Delta Goodrem sustained a rib injury and was advised by doctors to rest. She and Kai Widdrington have been given a bye, meaning they will automatically progress to the following week without dancing.

"I'm absolutely gutted that a rib injury means I won't be able to dance on Strictly this week," Goodrem said. She added, "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." That high came from scoring 33 points for their salsa, the highest score of the series so far.

Other couples and eliminations

The competition field narrowed after the previous weekend's results show. Melanie Walters and Aljaž Škorjanec were eliminated following a dance-off against Shaun Wright-Phillips and Alexis Warr. Walters and Škorjanec had scored 17 points, while Wright-Phillips and Warr scored 15 for their quickstep.

The judges were split on who to save. Craig voted to keep Shaun, citing his enthusiasm and technical ability. Motsi chose to keep Melanie because of the 'clarity' in her performance. Shirley said both couples danced well but noted Shaun had taken on board the judges' comments. Anton cast the deciding vote to save Shaun, sending Melanie and Aljaz home.

The couples at risk of the dance-off that night were Lacey and Vito, Melanie and Aljaz, Tabby and Mark, Will and Dianne, Sarah and Julian, Graeme and Lauren, Bethany and Nancy, and Shaun and Alexis. In a separate dance-off, all four judges saved Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu.

Broader context of the series

Strictly Come Dancing is in its 2026 series, with week three currently underway and 14 couples remaining. The main show airs on Saturday evenings, with the most recent episode on October 10 starting at 6.15pm and running for two hours and twenty minutes. The results show follows on Sunday.

Following the latest elimination, the remaining celebrities began preparing for Icons Week. The companion show, It Takes Two, airs weeknights from 6.30pm on BBC Two and iPlayer, where partnerships and performances are often discussed.

Amy Dowden and Kai Widdrington will dance to Dolly Parton's 'Jolene' during Icons Week.