Strictly's Kai Widdrington holds back tears as he cheers Delta Goodrem on from home amid fears he'll have to quit show after being hospitalised

Strictly's Kai Widdrington held back tears as he watched partner Delta Goodrem perform without him during Saturday's live show. The professional dancer, 31, could not compete this week due to a mystery illness, with fellow pro Aljaz Skorjanec jumping in to perform with Delta. Yet he ensured he cheered Delta on from home, filming himself growing emotional at the performance, with his partner Chloe Wells comforting him. Kai also shared snippets from Delta and Aljaz's performance, remarking how proud he was of them, with Delta responding that he was with them 'in spirit'. It was announced on Friday that Kai was not well enough to perform, with Delta then sparking fears Kai will have to quit when she revealed his condition was so serious he had to be hospitalised. Delta, 42, revealed on Saturday's show: 'It was an extremely crazy week and obviously we’re so sad that Kai got so unwell yesterday, he had to go to the hospital.' Strictly's Kai Widdrington held back tears as he watched partner Delta Goodrem perform without him during Saturday's live show amid his battle with a mystery illness It was announced on Friday that Kai was not well enough to perform, with Delta then performing with Aljaz Skorjanec amid fears Kai will have to quit after being hospitalised Kai also shared snippets from Delta and Aljaz's performance, remarking how proud he was of them, with Delta responding that he was with them 'in spirit'She continued: 'We’re both sending him so much love watching tonight. I'm so proud of my dance partner and no doubt he’ll be strong and come back.'Delta also shared how she had to rehearse with three different partners throughout the week.It's been a rocky competition for Delta and Kai, who were forced to skip week four of the competition due to Delta suffering a rib injury in rehearsals. Under the show's rules, they were granted a bye to the following week. Despite their many setbacks, Delta scored a total of 35 points out of 40 on Saturday – her highest score of the competition so far – after impressing with her Argentine Tango to Missing by Everything But The Girl.BBC bosses have not revealed further details of Kai’s illness or if he will be well enough to return to the ballroom next week, when their fan-favourite annual episode in Blackpool Tower will air.In a statement on Friday, they said: 'Due to illness, Kai is unable to dance on tomorrow night's show.'Instead, Aljaz will step in to dance the Argentine Tango with Delta. We're sending Kai all our love and hope he feels better soon.'As week eight of the programme kicked off, Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe expressed their gratitude for Aljaz, 36, as they addressed Kai's absence.As Emma explained the situation to viewers, Johannes said: 'Hi papi, get well soon please and Aljaz thank you for stepping in!' It's been a rocky competition for Delta and Kai, who were forced to skip week four of the competition due to Delta suffering a rib injury in rehearsals Elsewhere, actress Jaime Winstone was given a warm welcome back to the dancefloor with Carlos Gu after missing last week's show due to injuryElsewhere, actress Jaime Winstone was given a warm welcome back to the dancefloor with Carlos Gu after missing last week's show due to her injury.Jaime, who has survived three dance-offs so far in the competition, was forced to pull out of last week's show after suffering an injury during training when she tore an abdominal muscle.Emma gave her a 'ginormous welcome back', while Josh said: 'We missed you so much, it feels like you're back where you belong.'To which the actress responded: 'It's great to be back!'The show ended with Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby topping the leaderboard with their Charleston to Blame It on the Boogie by The Jacksons.After landing in last week's dance-off, Cach and Maddie were hoping to impress, and impress they certainly did, leaving the audience – and judges Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas – on their feet.They earned an incredible three 10s and a nine, topping the leaderboard with 39 points overall.Three couples finished in a tie for last place, after all earning 27 points. They were Will Best and Dianne Buswell, who performed a Paso Doble to Smalltown Boy by Bronski Beat; Lacey Turner and Vito Coppola, who took on a Foxtrot to Have You Met Miss Jones? by Robbie Williams; and Graeme Hall and Lauren Oakley who did a Quickstep to Happy Days by Pratt & McClain.The Strictly Come Dancing Results show airs Sunday at 7.15pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. STRICTLY COME DANCING 2026: MEET THE CONTESTANTS LACEY TURNER AGE: 38BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Stacey Slater on BBC's EastEnders WHY STRICTLY?: 'I'm so excited and terrified at the same time but I've had so many friends do Strictly and I thought it was about time that I plucked up the courage and made my way onto that dance floor.'DELTA GOODREMAGE: 41BEST KNOWN FOR?: Played Nina Tucker in Neighbours and has released eight music albumsWHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career – from TV, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor!'CACH MERCERAGE: 25BEST KNOWN FOR?: Won Love Island 2025 and is a TikTok influencerWHY STRICTLY?: 'I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!'DAME SARAH STOREYAGE: 48BEST KNOWN FOR?: Britain's most successful Paralympian WHY STRICTLY?: 'Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.'BETHANY ANTONIA AGE: 28BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Lady Baela Targaryen in House of the DragonWHY STRICTLY?: 'I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill.'GRAEME 'THE DOGFATHER' HALLAGE: 59BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Channel 5 series Dogs Behaving (Very) BadlyWHY STRICTLY?: 'I have watched the show for years, so to be a part of it feels like a very exciting challenge, albeit more than a bit nerve-wracking!'TABBY STOECKER AGE: 25BEST KNOWN FOR?: Olympic champion skeleton racerWHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve had the wildest year of my life so far, so to be rounding it off with a childhood dream of dancing in the Strictly ballroom is surreal and I can’t wait to get stuck in!'MELANIE WALTERS AGE: 64BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Gwen West in BBC sitcom Gavin & StaceyWHY STRICTLY?: 'Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room.' DANI DYERAGE: 30BEST KNOWN FOR?: Winning Love Island and being the daughter of actor Danny DyerWHY STRICTLY?: 'I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one!'CHRIS APPLETONAGE: 43BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hairdresser to the stars - including Kim Kardashian and Jennifer LopezWHY STRICTLY?: 'I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience. I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new.'WILL BESTAGE: 41BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Big Brother and previously TVWHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait!'JAIME WINSTONEAGE: 41BEST KNOWN FOR?: Starring in films such as Kidulthood and Tomb RaiderWHY STRICTLY?: 'I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me.'SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS AGE: 44BEST KNOWN FOR?: Footballer who played for the likes of Chelsea and Manchester CityWHY STRICTLY?: 'Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I’m super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!'LAWRENCE ROBBAGE: 34BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Mackenzie Boyd on ITV's EmmerdaleWHY STRICTLY?: 'I can't quite believe that I am going to be getting my dancing shoes on this September on one of my favourite shows of all time!'JOHN NELLIS AGE: 33BEST KNOWN FOR?: Face of a popular football-focused YouTube channelWHY STRICTLY?: 'I can't wait to meet everyone, learn a new skill and, hopefully, be much better at family parties by the end of it!'