Strictly Come Dancing's Nigel Harman quits competition hours before live show

02 December 2023 , 14:43

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Strictly Come Dancing stars have predicted Nigel Harman and Katya Jones won't be on the BBC series for much longer (Image: BBC)

Nigel Harman has quit Strictly Come Dancing hours before tonight's live show.

The EastEnders star was due to perform on tonight's live show, Musicals Week, but has reportedly been forced to pull out of the competition on medical grounds. He was expected to be dancing the Charleston to Step in Time from Disney 's Mary Poppins.

However, he was forced to leave the competition hours before the quarter-finals kicked off. A BBC spokesperson confirmed his exit: "Unfortunately Nigel has sustained an injury which means he is unable to perform in tonight’s show and has had to withdraw from Strictly."

However, it is not clear whether a celebrity will still leave the BBC programme following Saturday's live performance. But hours before BBC bosses announced Nigel's departure, Katya shared on Instagram how excited she was ahead of musicals week. Sharing a snap of a monitor behind the scenes showing the names of the couples competing, she penned: "Here we goooo!!!"

Nigel Harman has been forced to quit Strictly Come Dancing after sustaining an injury

On Friday, December 1, the 50-year-old actor shared his enthusiasm for his performance this weekend. Appearing on Strictly It Takes Two and speaking to presenter Fleur East, Nigel revealed he was 'overwhelmed' by the support from his fans. "It’s kind of a bit overwhelming that people are sitting there voting for us," he said.

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The former soap actor, who was paired with pro-Katya Jones, had been a firm favourite to win the competition this series. However, his performance last weekend saw Nigel dealt a huge blow ahead of the show's quarter-finals. Last week, Nigel’s Rumba left him second from bottom on the scoreboard yet again, and the actor, who has experience in musical theatre, had never managed to score a coveted 10 from any of the judges.

During the dance, Nigel planted a kiss on Katya's forehead and said: "All the time through our hands we're communicating and through our bodies, you have to be totally locked on with your partner to do that. One of my favourite times of the week is when we stand on the corner of the dancefloor and we hold hands and we walk out there together."

He had become a firm favourite amongst fans and the judges (PA)

Nigel has become the second celebrity to walk away from this series after actress Amanda Abbington quit last month. The Mr Selfridge star has remained tight-lipped since her exit but sources claimed she was "fed up" with the show having been plagued by difficulties. It was speculated that Amanda and Giovanni were at the centre of a feud since they were partnered together on the BBC show – although both were keen to squash these rumours.

Following her exit, Giovanni gushed over his partner, while Amanda failed to acknowledge him. She said: "It is with deepest regret that I had to leave Strictly. I did not come to this decision easily or lightly but for personal reasons, I am unable to continue. "It was an absolute joy working with my fellow contestants, they are a beautiful, hardworking and talented group of people who I love and who I will miss seeing every Friday and Saturday and competing alongside. I want to thank the incredible Production team and everyone on Strictly who looked after me and who are so kind and caring. It's a wonderful bunch of people and I'll miss all of them. I'm so sad that I am unable to go any further. Thank you to everyone who voted and who sent wonderful messages and inspiring support. You are all amazing. Truly. Thank you."

Amy Denman