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Amy Dowden teases Strictly comeback as she replaces injured Delta Goodrem

Amy Dowden has teased her comeback to Strictly Come Dancing after it was confirmed she would be replacing injured Delta Goodrem, who is unable to dance this week

Amy Dowden has teased her comeback to Strictly Come Dancing as she’s set to replace injured Delta Goodrem.

Singer Delta has been forced to miss this year’s Icons Week after breaking her rib. She has been forced to pull out of the show this week and will get a bye to the following week as per the rules.

It has been confirmed that Amy will dance with Kai. Vogue Williams said on Lorraine today: “It’s good to see her back, but she’s going to be dancing with Kai, and supposedly to Dolly Parton’s Jolene. I mean, that’s going to be so good.”

Now, footage has emerged of Amy – who was first out the competition with Chris Appleton – reacting to the group dance. “I really think this Icon’s Week is going to be phenomenal,” she said as the group prepared to dance to a Madonna number.

Today, Delta shared an update on her own health. Taking to social media, she wrote: “Just wanted to come on here and say a big Thank you to everyone who has sent messages and wrote lovely comments the last couple of days, I see them all.

“Not the start to the week I’d hoped for but your support has meant the world. Also special big thank you to my amazing dance partner @kaiwidd who I will miss dancing with this weekend but I am so beyond grateful for his guidance and friendship through it all.. as well as the wonderful Strictly team!!”

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Delta had previously said she was “absolutely gutted” to be out the show for the week, and hoped she’d be back the following week. She told fans: “I’ve been loving every second of this experience, so having to sit this one out is heartbreaking – especially after the high of Saturday night.

“I cannot tell you how much I love being a part of this magical show. I’m going to focus on resting and recovering, and hopefully I’ll be back on that dancefloor very soon. Thank you so much to everyone for all the love and support. It’s so appreciated. I’ll be cheering everyone on from the sidelines this week!”

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Rugby League World Cup 2026: Kallum Watkins replaces injured Morgan Smithies in England squad

Kallum Watkins has been called up to England’s Rugby League World Cup squad as a late replacement after Morgan Smithies was forced to withdraw through injury.

The 35-year-old Leeds Rhinos second-row forward is set to take part in his fourth World Cup having previously featured in 2013, 2017 and 2022.

The loss of lock and second-row forward Smithies, who is set to join Perth Bears for the 2027 NRL season, comes as a blow to England.

However, in Watkins, head coach Brian McDermott has found a replacement he knows well having previously coached him during a trophy-laden spell at Leeds.

“It’s really unfortunate what has happened to Morgan with an injury picked up in training,” said McDermott.

“Morgan has been great since we entered camp. He’s a real team player and his work ethic and toughness are qualities that we will certainly miss.

“Kallum enjoyed a terrific season with Leeds this year and has been part of our England performance programme building into this World Cup.

“I look forward to welcoming him into camp as we step up our preparations.”

Watkins, who has 32 caps, is set to arrive in Perth before England’s World Cup opener against Tonga on Saturday (10:05 BST) but will not play.

He started his career as a centre before shifting into the pack in recent years and will be available for England’s other group matches against France and Papua New Guinea.

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Harmanpreet Kaur: Smriti Mandhana replaces India batter as captain

India batter Harmanpreet Kaur has left her role as national team captain across all three formats of international cricket.

Harmanpreet led India in five Tests, 51 one-day internationals and 155 T20 internationals and took her country to their first global title, winning the 50-over World Cup last year.

The 37-year old last captained her country on 22 September, when she helped secure a second successive Asian Games title against Sri Lanka.

She will be replaced by opener Smriti Mandhana, who has already skippered the side in limited-overs games.

In a post on Instagram, external, Harmanpreet said she was leaving the India side in a “good place” and that she’s now “ready to play for the love of the game again”.

“This is not an easy decision,” Harmanpreet wrote. “It carries years of memories, emotions, sacrifices, and moments that will stay with me for the rest of my life.

“I have given everything I had to this team and to Indian women’s cricket – my blood, my sweat, my time, and many times, a part of my own game and personal ambitions.

“There were moments when I had to put my individual performance, my own growth, and what I wanted for myself aside, because I believed the team had to come first.

“As a captain, I have had to make difficult decisions. Decisions that were not always understood, not always easy, and sometimes came at a personal cost. But every decision I made was with one intention – to make this TEAM better and to give other players the opportunity to grow, believe in themselves and become the best versions of themselves.”

Harmanpreet, who first captained India in 2012, led her side to victory in the one-off Test against England at Lord’s in July.

However India exited the T20 World Cup in the group stage earlier in the month, failing to reach the semi-finals for the second successive edition of the tournament.

Mandhana, 30, has previously captained India in 18 T20s and four ODIs.

She has also captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru to two Women’s Premier League titles.

She said: “To be given the responsibility of leading India is a very special honour, and the opportunity to lead the team is something I will value deeply.”

India are set to welcome Zimbabwe for three T20s and three ODIs from 16 October.



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