Dani Dyer has left the door open for a Strictly comeback, but under one strict condition (Image: Getty)

Dani Dyer is already eyeing up a sensational return to Strictly Come Dancing — but only under one condition. The Love Island winner was left devastated when she fractured her ankle in rehearsals and had to pull out of the 2025 series before the first live show. Amber Davies was drafted in as her replacement, sparking controversy over her stage background, while her professional dance partner, Nikita Kuzmin, was left without the partner he had been training with for weeks.

Now, an insider has told us Dani is determined to put things right next year — but only on her terms, as friends say it will only happen if she’s reunited with Nikita. Our source said: “Dani’s heart is still on that dancefloor. She was gutted to go out before she even had the chance to show what she could do. But the one thing she’s made clear is that she’ll only go back if Nikita is her partner again.

The Love Island winner was left devastated when she fractured her ankle in rehearsals (Image: BBC)
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“They had such a good bond and she doesn’t want to do it with anyone else.” The insider added: “She’s been telling friends she feels like she’s got unfinished business. For her, it’s Nikita or nothing.”

Nikita has also spoken of his disappointment, saying it “breaks my heart” that their journey ended before it had begun. Their close bond during training has fuelled speculation the BBC could reunite them if Dani is offered a place in the 2026 line-up.

Dani has opened up herself about the impact of her exit on Live and Let Dyers, the podcast she co-hosts with dad Danny Dyer.

She admitted: “The doctor said to me, if I continue dancing on this foot, it’s not going to heal, it’s going to get worse and worse and worse.”

She confessed she had been living her dream before the accident: “It was the best time of my life.

“I was so excited, happy, loving the photoshoots, the process, and of course dancing with Nikita.”

The 28-year-old also revealed the injury took a toll on her mental health. “Everyone around me was pure devastation, and that’s why I couldn’t leave the house, because I knew if someone said to me ‘are you okay Dani’ I’d just cry,” she said.

Danny rallied behind her with typically blunt advice: “What you’ve got to do is, which you have, is pull up them big girl knickers, and we f*****g get on with it, because up to this point it’s been an incredible year.”

Danny even revealed he considered stepping in as her replacement.

Dani herself hasn’t closed the door, telling listeners: “I would love to come back. My door is open.” But with sources insisting it will be “Nikita or nothing,” the ball is now in the BBC’s court.