DANI Dyer is officially returning to the Strictly dancefloor – a year after pulling out of the show due to an injury.

The Love Island star has been unveiled as the latest name in the 2026 line-up, joining EastEnders legend Lacey Turner in the forthcoming series.

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Dani Dyer will be returning to compete in Strictly Come DancingCredit: BBC
 

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The Love Island star has been announced as a 2026 contestantCredit: Instagram / @nikita__kuzmin
“She’s back where she belongs – on the #strictly dance floor. Welcome back @danidyerxx,” read the caption of the video shared on Stictly’s official Instagram account today.

The Sun exclusively revealed back in May that Dani, 29, was tipped to head back to the ballroom after being left devastated at her previous Strictly journey being cut short.

The mum-of-three was a contestant in last year’s series but was forced to pull out ahead of the first week of the competition after fracturing her ankle.

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Dani Dyer appeared with Nikita in the 2025 series but their time was cut short due to an injuryCredit: BBC

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She’s hoping to be paired with Nikita again for this year’s competitionCredit: Getty
Dani was paired with professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin in the 2025 series and the duo performed a quickstep together in the first live show before her drop-out.

Insiders told us last month that the reality TV star is hoping to be reunited with the pro for this year’s stint.

“To get a second chance to appear on Strictly is a dream come true for her,” they said.

“The first time around she was paired with Nikita Kuzmin and she hopes she will get him again.

“She is determined to get on the dancefloor and show the viewers what she’s made of.”

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Dani was left heartbroken when she had to pull out due to doctor’s orders last yearCredit: instagram./@bbcstrictly
 

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The emotional star thanked fans at the time for their support and cheered along her co-stars from homeCredit: instagram
In a statement in late September last year, a “heartbroken” Dani confirmed her early exit after doctors told her that she’d be unable to dance.

It read: “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 and after an MRI scan yesterday, it turns out I have fractured my ankle.”

Dani continued: “Apparently doing the Quickstep on a fracture is not advisable and the doctors have said I am not allowed to dance, so I’ve had to pull out of the show.

“To say I’m heartbroken is the biggest understatement.

“I am so going to miss dancing with Nikita but will of course be watching closely and cheering all the couples on.”