A WATERLOO Road star is in talks to replace Dani Dyer on Strictly, The Sun can reveal.
Last night, Love Island star Dani, 29, confirmed she had been forced out of the dance competition after fracturing her ankle.
Dani Dyer was forced to pull out of Strictly after she fractured her ankle[/caption]
Waterloo Road’s Tillie Amartey is in talks to replace her[/caption]
Tillie (middle) plays Stacey Neville on the BBC school drama[/caption]
The devastated reality star said she was advised not to compete by doctors after an having an MRI scan.
With her shock early departure, bosses have opened talks with actress Tillie Amartey, 22.
A source told The Sun: “Tillie recently quit her role on Waterloo Road telling pals it was to make way for ‘another big’ project, which could be a game changer for her career.
“She’s been making several trips from her Leeds home to London for discussions with TV execs in recent weeks. The feeling is that if she is filling the shoes vacated by Dani, the programme needs another young, glam woman to take her spot.”
They continued: “There is already an imbalance in the genders among the celebrities as there are nine men taking part and six women. It’s essential the number of females taking part doesn’t drop further, and they want to try and maintain a similar balance in terms of the variety of ages too.
“Tillie is incredibly ambitious and hard working and, even though she is just 22 years old, she’s already made great strides in the industry – but wants to go much, much further.
“If she does sign up for Strictly she will be using it very much as a platform for even bigger things and will definitely give it her all.”
The BBC told The Sun: “We don’t comment on speculation.”
Tillie, who has played Stacey Neville on the BBC school drama since 2024, took part in Strictly’s Christmas special in 2023.
At the time, she said: ” I am feeling really overwhelmed, but so privileged to be part of such an amazing show.
“You can’t say no to Strictly. I want to prove to myself and other younger people, that you can do anything you put your mind too. Yes I’m an actress and a presenter, but why can’t I dance as well?!
“When I was seven, maybe six, I did one dancing competition, because my mum was a dancer, and I did the competition, but then she asked me if I wanted to horse ride, so I took that instead as I didn’t do too well… so I’m going to say no!”
She added: “Anytime I watch Strictly, I think ooh, I want to impress all of the judges, that would be fab-u-lous! But I think I want to impress Craig, oh and Shirley, because we’re doing a Jive and Shirley really knows her stuff on the Jive so that would be good.”
Tilly was partnered with Neil Jones but lost out to Jamie Borthwick and Nancy Xu.
Dani was set to compete with professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin, 27.
A “heartbroken” Dani wrote in a statement: “I had a fall on Friday in rehearsals and landed funny.
“I thought I had rolled my foot but it swelled up badly over the weekend and after an MRI scan yesterday, it turns out I have fractured my ankle.”
Dani continued: “Apparently doing the Quickstep on a fracture is not advisable and the doctors have said I am not allowed to dance, so I’ve had to pull out of the show.
“To say I’m heartbroken is the biggest understatement.
“I am so going to miss dancing with Nikita but will of course be watching closely and cheering all the couples on.”
Just days ago Dani shared her nerves ahead of the live shows.
She said last week: “I’m absolutely petrified about dancing live on Saturday nights.”
Speaking to The Sun about her upcoming Strictly adventure, she was asked if her famous dad Danny Dyer was going to watch – and if he would get emotional.
The mum-of-three revealed: “He’s going to. He will try and keep it together. Him and my mum are making a little date day of it.
“They’re coming on the launch show together. They’re really excited.”
Strictly Come Dance 2025 lineup
Strictly Come Dancing news and the latest line up
- Nitro from Gladiators will be showing off his dance moves on this year’s show.
- Doctor Who and ER star Alex Kingston has signed up.
- Chris Robshaw, former Harlequins and England rugby captain.
- Eastenders actress Suki Panesar, has moved from Walford to the ballroom.
- Neighbours legend Stefan Dennis has been confirmed.
- George Clarke, a YouTube star, joins Strictly.
- Dani Dyer, joins with previous dancing experience.
- La Voix is the first drag star to join the main series
- Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink swaps is football boots for dancing shoes.
- Ellie Goldstein became the first contestant with Down’s Syndrome to take part.
- Thomas Skinner is swapping the boardroom for ballroom dancing
- I’m a Celeb winner Vicky Pattison has been announced.
- Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope was announced as the last contestant.
- Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn pulled out of the show before the launch date over medical reasons.
Tillie competed on Strictly’s festive special in 2023 with pro dancer Neil Jones[/caption]
