In a dramatic turn just days before the glittering launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2025, beloved reality TV star Dani Dyer has been forced to withdraw from the competition due to a fractured ankle, setting off a scramble behind the scenes to find her replacement. According to reports from The Sun and Newsquest, BBC bosses are now deep in talks with Waterloo Road actress Tillie Amartey, whose own journey to the ballroom could mark a pivotal moment in her rising career.
Dani Dyer, 29, who first captured the nation’s heart as a winner on Love Island, announced her withdrawal on September 23, 2025. The decision came after a fall during rehearsals on Friday, September 19, left her with a badly swollen foot. "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 revealed in a heartfelt statement. "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."
Dani’s pairing with professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin was unveiled during the launch show on September 21, with high hopes for their partnership. However, the injury—diagnosed after an MRI scan on September 22—left her with no choice but to step aside. The BBC confirmed her exit, and fans quickly took to social media to share messages of support for the mum-of-three, who had previously spoken of her nerves ahead of the live shows. Dani had even joked about her famous dad, actor Danny Dyer, planning to attend the launch with her mum for a special date night, saying, "He's going to. He will try and keep it together. Him and my mum are making a little date day of it. They're coming on the launch show together. They're really excited."
With Dani’s departure, the show’s producers faced an urgent dilemma—not just to fill her spot, but to address a looming gender imbalance in the 2025 line-up. As it stands, there are nine men and only six women slated to compete, making the addition of another female contestant a top priority. A source told The Sun, "There is already an imbalance in the genders among the celebrities as there are nine men taking part and six women. It's essential the number of females taking part doesn't drop further, and they want to try and maintain a similar balance in terms of the variety of ages too."
Enter Tillie Amartey, a 22-year-old actress who has played Stacey Neville on Waterloo Road since 2024. Tillie is no stranger to the Strictly stage, having participated in the 2023 Christmas special alongside professional dancer Neil Jones. Though the pair lost to EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick and his partner Nancy Xu, Tillie’s energy and ambition caught the attention of viewers and producers alike. In her own words at the time, she said, "I am feeling really overwhelmed, but so privileged to be part of such an amazing show. You can’t say no to Strictly. I want to prove to myself and other younger people, that you can do anything you put your mind to. Yes I’m an actress and a presenter, but why can’t I dance as well?!"
Tillie’s journey to this moment has been anything but ordinary. Hailing from Leeds and the niece of Spice Girl Mel B, she recently quit her role on Waterloo Road to pursue what she described to friends as "another big project, which could be a game changer for her career." According to The Sun, she has made several trips from Leeds to London in recent weeks for discussions with TV executives. "Tillie is incredibly ambitious and hard working and, even though she is just 22 years old, she's already made great strides in the industry—but wants to go much, much further. If she does sign up for Strictly she will be using it very much as a platform for even bigger things and will definitely give it her all," a source close to the negotiations shared.
Despite the mounting speculation, the BBC remains tight-lipped about Tillie’s potential involvement. A spokesperson told both Newsquest and The Sun, "We don't comment on speculation." Still, the buzz surrounding her possible entry has only grown, with many fans eager to see a new, dynamic face in the ballroom—one who’s already shown her willingness to embrace a challenge. Tillie herself once admitted, "When I was seven, maybe six, I did one dancing competition, because my mum was a dancer, and I did the competition, but then she asked me if I wanted to horse ride, so I took that instead as I didn’t do too well... so I’m going to say no!" when asked about her dance experience. She added, "Anytime I watch Strictly, I think ooh, I want to impress all of the judges, that would be fab-u-lous! But I think I want to impress Craig, oh and Shirley, because we’re doing a Jive and Shirley really knows her stuff on the Jive so that would be good."
Strictly’s 2025 season promises to be as star-studded and diverse as ever. Alongside the potential addition of Tillie, the line-up features Nitro from Gladiators, Doctor Who and ER star Alex Kingston, former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw, EastEnders actress Suki Panesar, Neighbours legend Stefan Dennis, YouTube star George Clarke, drag performer La Voix, footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Ellie Goldstein—who makes history as the first contestant with Down’s Syndrome—Thomas Skinner, I’m a Celeb winner Vicky Pattison, and Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope. The show’s producers are keen to maintain not just gender parity but also a variety of ages and backgrounds, reflecting the rich tapestry of British entertainment.
Strictly has never been just about the dancing; it’s about resilience, reinvention, and the thrill of live performance. Dani Dyer’s heartbreak is a reminder of the risks contestants take, but also of the powerful sense of community that keeps audiences tuning in year after year. As the curtain rises on the 2025 season—returning to BBC One and iPlayer at 6:55 pm on Saturday, September 27—viewers will be watching closely to see who seizes the opportunity to shine under the ballroom lights.
As the Strictly family prepares for its next chapter, the spotlight now turns to Tillie Amartey. Will she step onto the dance floor and make it her own? For both fans and producers, the anticipation is as electric as ever.
