Delta Goodrem’s Strictly Come Dancing return ended with the first 10 of the series, as the Australian singer and professional partner Kai Widdrington scored 34 points for their rumba.
Goodrem, 41, had been forced to sit out the previous week after doctors ordered her to rest following a rib injury. She was granted a pass through to the next round, allowing her to return to the dancefloor in week five.
The couple performed to Celine Dion’s It’s All Coming Back To Me, winning warm praise from the judging panel. Anton Du Beke was particularly impressed, telling Goodrem that he “loved” the routine and calling it “my favourite dance of the series by a million miles”.
Du Beke produced his 10 paddle for the first time this series, although Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas awarded lower marks.
The score prompted a mixed reaction from viewers, with some praising the performance while questioning whether it merited the show’s first 10.
Comments on X included: “Wow!! I loved Delta and Kai’s rumba, it was gorgeous. But it didn’t deserve the first 10 of the series. Come on.”
Another viewer wrote: “10 for that dance, nah Anton has lost the plot,” while others questioned Du Beke’s decision, saying: “Delta and Kai were amazing but I cannot see it as the first 10 of the series.”
There was widespread delight earlier in the programme when Goodrem and Widdrington rejoined the other contestants in the studio. Viewers posted messages including “WELCOME BACK DELTA GOODREM!” and “It’s great to see Delta back.”
Delta Goodrem details Strictly injury
Goodrem performed a salsa in week three, but was taken to hospital hours after the live broadcast when she struggled to sleep because of the pain. Doctors subsequently instructed her to rest and sleep upright while she recovered.
In an emotional video shared on Instagram, Goodrem described the injury as “very painful” and said she felt “a little nauseous from the pain”. She later said doctors had explained that she had fractured a rib.
“Hopefully I’ll get back next week, that’s the plan,” she said at the time. “Thanks everyone for the support, I’m just super disappointed.”
Goodrem later documented her progress, showing herself gradually walking, catching up with Widdrington and returning to training. She said she had been “so happy to be back” and wrote that she had been “listening, taking things carefully and learning to appreciate the small steps”.
Despite the 10 from Du Beke, Goodrem and Widdrington were not the highest-scoring couple of the night. Tabby Stoecker and Mark Karmalita topped the leaderboard with 37 points, including two 10s, after an emotional Couple’s Choice routine dedicated to Stoecker’s late father.
