In a surprising turn of events, Strictly Come Dancing sensation Vicky Pattison, 37, has been forced to withdraw from an appearance on the hit spin-off show It Takes Two at the eleventh hour, leaving fans reeling. The beloved TV personality, who is currently dazzling audiences in this year’s glitzy ballroom competition alongside her professional dance partner Kai Widdrington, 30, shared the heartbreaking news that both she and Kai have been struck down by illness.
Taking to Instagram, Vicky issued a heartfelt apology to her supporters, writing, “Man, or should I say ‘men’, down. Huge apologies to anyone expecting to see me and Kai on It Takes Two tonight. Doing all we can to get back to our best and back to the training room asap.” Accompanying her message was a candid snapshot of her recovery essentials—a battle-ready arsenal of lozenges, cough syrup, ginger shots, oranges, and juice—as she fights to overcome the bug sidelining her.
This unexpected setback comes hot on the heels of another deeply personal revelation from the former Geordie Shore star. Just last week, Vicky opened up about her decision to return to therapy to manage overwhelming nerves and anxiety before joining Strictly. In a raw and inspiring social media post, she admitted that her fears nearly led her to turn down the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete on the iconic BBC show.
“I knew before Strictly even started I was going to struggle with my nerves and anxiety… so much so, that I almost said no to this incredible opportunity,” Vicky confessed. “I almost let my fear stop me from doing something amazing… But I absolutely don’t want that nasty little inner critic to dictate my life. I don’t want it to convince me that I’m not capable of doing brilliant things once in a while.”
Determined to conquer her fears, Vicky took proactive steps to prepare for the Strictly journey. She revealed that she prioritized self-care, sought therapy, and leaned on loved ones, including her husband, to build the mental resilience needed for the challenge. “I put on my big girl pants and tried to get myself in the best possible place before I started this little journey,” she shared.
Vicky’s empowering message didn’t stop with her own story. She urged her fans to seize their own opportunities, writing, “You might not be doing Strictly, but we all get the chance to do exciting and amazing things in our lives. I just wanted this to be your sign to go for it. Whether it’s the career change, the blind date, the solo trip… Just go for it. Anxiety is our brain trying to convince us that the worst possible outcome is going to be your reality… but it doesn’t have to be.”
It comes after Vicky revealed last week that she went back to therapy before taking part in Strictly as she weighed in on the controversy surrounding contestants with dance experience (pictured with her therapists The Speakmans)
Beyond her health struggles and emotional journey, Vicky also addressed the buzz surrounding this year’s Strictly lineup, particularly the controversy over contestants with prior dance experience. Stars like Amber Davies, who has graced stages in 9 to 5 The Musical and Back to the Future, and Emmerdale’s Lewis Cope, a former Billy Elliot lead, bring professional dance credentials to the competition. Additionally, Team GB sprinter Harry, who competed in the 2024 Strictly Christmas special with Nancy Xu, and EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, who has dabbled in Latin and ballroom dancing, add to the mix of seasoned performers.
Rather than viewing this as unfair, Vicky embraced the diversity of talent, telling The Sun, “Every year, Strictly has people of different abilities, doesn’t it? Some people who have never danced before, totally inexperienced, and some people maybe did ballet before as kids, some people a bit more.” She emphasized that experience in one dance style doesn’t guarantee success on the Strictly ballroom floor, adding, “Just because someone’s experienced in one, doesn’t mean they’re experienced in another.”
Far from feeling overshadowed, Vicky believes the mix of abilities enhances the show’s appeal. “I do think it’s nice for the viewers at home that they get to watch some really good dancers early doors,” she said. “There are still some really brilliant performances to watch, and everyone goes on a journey.”
As Vicky and Kai focus on recovery, fans are rallying behind the resilient star, eagerly awaiting her return to the Strictly dance floor. Her candidness about her struggles, paired with her determination to push through, has only deepened her connection with viewers, proving that she’s not just a dancer but a true inspiration.