Delta Goodrem returns to Strictly Come Dancing, scores series‑first 10

The Australian singer performed a rumba with partner Kai Widdrington, receiving a 10 from Anton Du Beke and a total of 34 points.

By Felo News Desk · Published Sat, 24 Oct 2026 21:08:30 GMT

Australian singer Delta Goodrem returned to the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday, 24 October, after missing a week with a fractured rib. She earned the series’ first perfect 10 from judge Anton Du Beke and a total of 34 points for her rumba with professional partner Kai Widdrington.

What happened

Goodrem, 41, performed a rumba to Celine Dion’s “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now”. The dance was scored 34 by the judging panel, placing her second for the episode after she missed the previous week’s icons special. The following couple, Winter Olympic champion Tabby Stoecker, received two 10s and a total of 37, the highest score of the series to date, dancing to Olivia Rodrigo’s “Stupid Song”. Judge Shirley Ballas described Stoecker’s performance as “absolutely exquisite” and called her a “beautiful dancer”.

What the reports add

Standard.co.uk noted that Du Beke’s 10 was the first of the 2026 series and added his advice: “going forward I would continue to have a rib injury.”
Motsi Mabuse, also quoted by Standard.co.uk, said she “missed you” and called Goodrem’s rumba “one of the best rumbas I’ve seen on this show”.
Standard.co.uk reported that Stoecker’s leaderboard‑topping performance was dedicated to her late father.
The Independent and Standard.co.uk both reproduced Goodrem’s Instagram message, confirming her description of the injury as “frustrating” and her gratitude to “warriors” supporting her.

What was said

“I have to tell you this, this is as good as I’ve (seen), this is my favourite dance of the series by a million miles.” – Anton Du Beke, Standard.co.uk

“Going forward I would continue to have a rib injury.” – Anton Du Beke, Standard.co.uk

“I missed you.” – Motsi Mabuse, Standard.co.uk

“One of the best rumbas I’ve seen on this show.” – Motsi Mabuse, Standard.co.uk

“Absolutely exquisite.” – Shirley Ballas, Standard.co.uk

“Beautiful dancer.” – Shirley Ballas, Standard.co.uk

“I’m grateful to return… it’s been frustrating… to all my warriors out there in your own battles I see you and am with you, we are fighters.” – Delta Goodrem, Instagram post, cited by Standard.co.uk and The Independent

How it came about

Goodrem missed week four after sustaining a fractured rib, a detail she confirmed in an Instagram post that included hospital clips and a message about “filming little moments over the past two weeks” to track progress. Earlier in the series, Goodrem and Widdrington led the leaderboard with a 33‑point salsa, as reported in Felo’s 10 October article. The 2026 series launched on 26 September with new celebrity‑pro pairings, a context outlined in Felo’s September coverage of the show’s launch.

Key facts

Delta Goodrem scored the series’ first perfect 10 on Strictly Come Dancing. (standard.co.uk)
Goodrem earned 34 points for her rumba to Celine Dion’s “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now”. (standard.co.uk)
She returned after missing week four due to a fractured rib. (standard.co.uk)