Strictly Come Dancing have confirmed that actor Stefan Dennis will not be dancing this weekend
18:49, 10 Oct 2025Updated 18:50, 10 Oct 2025
Doctors have told the actor to rest(Image: BBC/Ray Burmiston)
Strictly Come Dancing have confirmed that Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis will be absent from this weekend’s show. The Australian pair were scheduled to take part in the much-anticipated Movie Week, performing a routine to It Is You (I Have Loved) from Shrek. However, their performance has been postponed due to health concerns.
The BBC programme shared on their official Instagram account: “Due to illness over the past few days, Stefan Dennis has been advised by doctors to rest and, as a result, he will not dance this weekend.
“In lines with the rules of Strictly, Stefan and Dianne will receive a bye through to next week when they will hopefully be able to dance again.”
Responding to the announcement, Dianne, who is expecting her first child with partner Joe Sugg, wrote: “Sending all my Aussie love steffo. I know how much you wanted to dance!”
Judge Motsi Mabuse also offered her support in the comments section, writing: “Get well soon.”, reports the Mirror.
Stefan’s absence means the pair will miss performing during Movie Week, though they’re hoping to return the following week.
The duo managed to survive last week’s first dance-off, which saw former Apprentice contestant Thomas Skinner become the opening elimination alongside his partner Amy Dowden.
The announcement was also made by Janette Manrara during Friday evening’s It Takes Two, as she expressed her support for Stefan and hoped to see him return to the dance floor next week.
Former Strictly contestant Vicky Pattison spoke out this week about a bug that had been circulating around the cast. The 37-year-old presenter mentioned during a chat with Angela Scanlon that a bug has been circulating among the professional dancers, and that her own partner, Kai Widdrington, had been affected.
“There is some horrible bug going around that is sweeping through the Strictly pros and dancers. Kai got it, came into rehearsals yesterday and he just totally deteriorated over a space of hours. In the end I was like ‘Please go home because I’m now worried I’m going to get it,'” Vicky said.
“Then I started feeling ill, scratchy throat, getting hot and cold, aches and pains. Sometimes I’m not sure if I’m actually ill or if I’m so scared I’m going to be ill.”
It has not been confirmed whether Steffan is experiencing this same illness. For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter
Stefan faced divided opinions for his performance last week when he and Dianne took on the Cha Cha Cha. He had confessed to the judges that he was “petrified” ahead of his performance, describing how the choreography had “stumped him”.
Those jitters seemed to persist even after leaving the dance floor.
While making his way up the steps, there was alarm as he lost his balance and stumbled on the staircase. A concerned Dianne steadied him and cried out: “Golly gosh. Be careful, be careful.”
Fortunately, he emerged unscathed from the tumble, with the judging panel giving the duo a combined score of 17.