04 December 2023 , 07:50
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Nigel Harman has been accused of "backstage mood swings", with the Strictly Come Dancing crew reportedly "relieved" he's been forced to quit.
The former EastEnders actor and his professional partner Katya Jones were heartbroken to announce they have been forced to step down from the BBC series ahead of the quarter-finals. Nigel had hurt his ribs in a painful rehearsal injury just hours before the latest live show.
A Strictly insider told Mirror: "It is always sad when a contestant leaves the show, particularly when an injury is sustained. Nigel will be well missed by those who have worked alongside him on the show and everyone wishes him the very best and looks forward to seeing him at the final on Saturday 16th December."
However, a TV source has revealed the backstage crew had difficulties with the Casualty actor when he became frustrated with disappointing scores and comments from the judges. They said: "Nigel takes himself very seriously as a performer and throws himself heart and soul into things.
Nigel Harman and Katya Jones were saddened to leave Strictly Come Dancing (BBC/Guy Levy)“So obviously he’s very emotional if things don’t go as he hoped. That often means that he can be like a bear with a sore head backstage. Viewers got a glimpse of that when he received disappointing scores for their quickstep in Blackpool."
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“The crew and pros on the show are like a close family and the celebrities are welcomed into that. But if someone upsets that long-standing dynamic it can create bad feeling. Despite this everyone on the show also felt huge sympathy for Nigel having to leave the competition under such difficult circumstances," a TV source told The Sun.
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In Blackpool week, Nigel appeared to be visibly angry after finishing second from bottom on the judges leaderboard with a total score of 31 points out of 40. At the end of the live show, the former EastEnders actor left the stage immediately after filming had ended while the other couples remained on the dance floor.
Speaking on Saturday's show, Nigel explained why he had to withdraw from the competition. He said he was “leaping off a rostrum, about to be caught by some very handsome men”.
“As I flew I was Peter Pan. As I landed I was in A&E. I’ve done something to my rib basically and it’s quite painful," he added.