Strictly star reveals hospital visit before first show: ‘They got me out in time to make it to the studio’

Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two’s host Ellie Taylor has revealed that she had to rush to hospital just hours before her live show on Monday (5 October).

The presenter of the spin-off show informed fans that she injured her hand while joking that she hoped the Strictly wardrobe department had “a glue gun and some rhinestones” to make her bandage look suitably sparkly.

Comedian Taylor, 42, explained that she made a “quick visit” to the minor injuries unit while sharing a picture of her injured hand, confirming that it was not broken, just strained.

“Also big thumbs up… to nurse Wendy who got me out in time to make my car to the studio,” she said.

Ellie Taylor shared a picture of her injured hand on Instagram Stories
Ellie Taylor shared a picture of her injured hand on Instagram Stories (Instagram/Ellie Taylor)

Taylor, who is also known for her role as Flo “Sassy” Collins in Apple TV’s Ted Lasso and for comedy panel appearances on 8 Out of 10 Cats, Mock the Week and The Mash Report, was seen presenting the 6.30pm show without her arm brace.

She has become somewhat familiar with hospital visits in recent months, having shared tales of her disastrous family summer holiday in August.

Taylor announced her new role as the host of It Takes Two earlier this year, following a shakeup that saw Janette Manrara and Fleur East depart the Strictly spin-off show.

For the main programme, following the departure of longtime co-hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, presenting trio Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe have taken over proceedings.

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Their performances have received mixed results, with particular criticism aimed at comedian Widdicombe and his habit of cracking jokes during conversations with the celebrity contestants and their professional dance partners.

Strictly judge Motsi Mabuse has been left frustrated by the criticism, warning her followers that TV hosts could one day be replaced by AI, so viewers should be grateful for “imperfectly human” presenters.

“While people type away, tearing apart real human beings on television, real emotions!!!!!!!” she wrote on Threads. “AI is getting better at replacing them. One day, we might not even know the difference. And maybe then we’ll miss the days when television was still beautifully, imperfectly human.”

(Getty Images)

However, the latest results show introduced a presenting shake-up that impressed viewers, with the pairing of Willis and Radebe drawing praise.

The duo interviewed the judges together, appearing considerably more relaxed than Willis and Widdicombe did together.

Meanwhile, Widdicombe seemed happier chatting to the celebrities on their own after they got through to the next round.

“Emma and Johannes presenting together – this is much better,” another fan wrote on X/Twitter.

Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton and his professional partner Amy Dowden were the first couple to be eliminated from the 2026 series after a dance-off with actor Jaime Winstone.