Strictly's 'Cursed' Run: A Season Plagued by Setbacks
The 2025 season of Strictly Come Dancing is hurtling towards a grand finale that viewers are dubbing the most 'cursed' in the show's 23-year history. A relentless wave of injuries and health issues has decimated the lineup, creating unprecedented uncertainty for the competition's climax on December 20.
With just six participants remaining, a cloud of anxiety hangs over the ballroom. Fans are openly speculating that the prestigious final might be contested by a mere two celebrities if the injury curse continues to strike. The situation became so dire that the annual Blackpool special saw no elimination following the forced withdrawal of one contestant, throwing the competition schedule into disarray.
The Growing List of Casualties
The troubles began even before the first dance, setting a grim tone for the series. Two celebrities were forced to drop out before the competition had properly begun, and the list of casualties has only grown longer since.
Kristian Nairn, the Northern Irish actor beloved for his role as Hodor in Game of Thrones, was one of the first to fall. Less than a week after his announcement, doctors advised the 6'10" star to withdraw. Nairn revealed that underlying mental health struggles, including stress and grief, had begun to 'manifest physically,' causing a concerning spike in his vitals. He was replaced by Lewis Cope from Emmerdale, who has managed to impress the judges despite his late entry.
TV personality Dani Dyer was the next to exit. After a bad fall in rehearsals with partner Nikita Kuzmin, what she initially believed was a sprain turned out to be a fractured ankle. 'Apparently doing the quickstep on a fracture is not advisable,' Dyer stated heartbrokenly. Amber Davies was drafted in as a last-minute replacement.
The curse struck again during the early weeks when Stefan Dennis, the Neighbours actor, had to withdraw. After sitting out one week due to illness, he returned to the floor only to tear his calf muscle during a Charleston. The injury was so severe it prevented him from flying home to Australia due to the risk of deep-vein thrombosis.
Blackpool Blues and a Dislocated Rib
Just when it seemed the show might have overcome its bad luck, disaster struck ahead of the iconic Blackpool episode. La Voix, the drag act whose real name is Chris Dennis, was forced to withdraw entirely after sustaining a bone bruise. Host Tess Daly confirmed the sad news during the live broadcast, marking the fourth major departure from the competition.
The worries did not end there. Following the Blackpool show, rumours swirled that Alex Kingston had performed her Couple's Choice routine with a dislocated rib. Her own daughter, Salome Violetta Haertel, commented online, praising her mother for slaying on the dance floor 'dislocated rib and all!' Sharp-eyed viewers noted the Doctor Who star appearing to wince in pain during the performance.
Alex Kingston was quick to address the speculation, taking to Instagram to assure fans she was 'completely fine' and that the minor injury was 'part and parcel of dancing at these levels.' Her statement has, for now, quelled fears of another imminent withdrawal.
As the competition narrows, all eyes are on the remaining couples. The question on everyone's lips is whether the show can make it to the final without further casualties, or if this truly will be remembered as Strictly's most injured and 'cursed' season ever.
