BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Stefan Dennis pulls out of show due to health concerns
Strictly Come Dancing have confirmed that actor Stefan Dennis will not be dancing this weekend
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."
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."
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Fortunately, he emerged unscathed from the tumble, with the judging panel giving the duo a combined score of 17.
Red Wings-Maple Leafs game moved up to circumvent ALCS
Planning on watching the Detroit Red Wings take on the Toronto Maple Leafs on Monday as the team goes on the road for the first time in 2025-26? Then you need to plan on watching the contest a little earlier, as the Wings and Leafs will face off at 2 p.m., as opposed to the original start time of 4 p.m.
This is to keep the game from clashing with Game 2 of the ALCS between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Seattle Mariners. Therefore, fans in T-Town will get to watch their favorite hockey team play and then the baseball game, giving them a double header.
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) October 10, 2025The NHL has moved up the start time of Monday's Leafs-Red Wings game to 2 p.m. to avoid going head to head with Game 2 of the ALCS hosted by the Blue Jays.
Fans are invited to stay in their seats at Scotiabank Arena to watch the baseball game, too
Of course, the Wings would like for nothing more than to spoil the fans' gameday experience at Scotiabank Arena and score a win in their road opener. Detroit needs a couple of bounce-back performances following their embarrassing loss to Montreal on Thursday, and they will get a crack at the Leafs on Saturday in their home arena before the two teams continue their early-season series in Ontario.
Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs will square off early on Monday, October 13
If the Wings can score a victory over Toronto on Monday, regardless of the outcome Saturday, it will be a massive momentum shift for them. It's the only roadie on the slate until October 22nd, and the three-game homestand that will follow comprises matchups against the defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers, the Tampa Bay Lightning, and the defending Western Conference Champion, the Edmonton Oilers.
It's a brutal slate of games, and it will test a young team that needs it if the loss to the Habs serves as any indication. So, Wings fans, let's hope for a big win on Monday, and that it will help the team keep rightening some wrongs that let the Habs steal an easy win.
