The REAL reason Nigel Harman quit Strictly Come Dancing as soap star dramatically leaves just hours before live show
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It’s been a dramatic series of Strictly Come Dancing, and we haven’t even reached the semi final yet.
On Saturday Nigel Harman became the second celebrity to withdraw from the competition after he was forced to quit the dance show on medical grounds.
The Casualty actor, 50, was due to perform a Charleston to Step in Time from Mary Poppins with his professional partner Katya Jones.
Yet unfortunately he has sustained an injury which has forced him to withdraw from the show at the last minute, just hour’s before the quarter final live show.
With the glitterball almost in reaching distance, Nigel is understandably ‘really disappointed’ to bow out so close to the finish.
The REAL reason Nigel Harman quit Strictly Come Dancing as soap star dramatically leaves just hours before live show
The actor has withdrawn on medical grounds after he sustained an injury which has forced him to leave the show at the last minute, just hour’s before the quarter final live show.
The BBC confirmed to MailOnline: ‘Unfortunately Nigel has sustained an injury which means he is unable to perform in tonight’s show and has had to withdraw from Strictly.’
‘We wish Nigel a speedy recovery and they both will be very much missed by our entire Strictly family,’ the official Strictly Instagram account added in a post confirming his departure.
The Charleston is a notoriously hard dance with its fast-paced tempo and complicated tricks and flicks.
And while it has yet to be confirmed what specifically caused the injury, Nigel has been left unable to perform.
Just hours before his exit, Nigel discussed how gruelling the Charleston had been on his body and joked St John’s Ambulance were ‘on standby’ during his appearance on It Takes Two.
He told host Fleur East: ‘I just love musicals, I love the singing and dancing and the heightened emotions of it all. We’ve got this banger this week, it’s full on showbiz.
He added: ‘There’s leaps, there’s carries and we’re flying around and I end up needing oxygen every time I do it. It’s full on but it’s exciting.’
‘I’m not gonna lie, the Rumba just sort of mincing around wafting my hips in a general direction with some arms was lovely, maybe one bead of sweat.
‘This week, St John’s ambulance are on standby.’
With the glitterball almost in reaching distance, Nigel understandably ‘really disappointed’ to bow out to close to the finish
However, he has had to pull out of the dance contest on medical grounds after sustaining an injury, the BBC confirmed
Nigel joked on It Takes Two that he had St John’s Ambulance ‘on standby’ and he would be surprised if he ‘was still standing’ less than a day before he was forced to quit Strictly Come Dancing
The Casualty actor, 50, was gearing up to perform a Charleston to Step in Time from Mary Poppins with his professional partner Katya Jones for the quarter finals
Had Nigel remained with the show and gone through to the next round, he would have made it to the semi-finals and hinted he would have struggled to learn two routines in one week.
He said: ‘Two dances in a week, I hear a its possible but I’m just going to walk blindly with it and pretend that everything is fine!’
During an appearance on Steph’s Packed Lunch, Nigel also said he would be ‘impressed’ if he was still standing after the difficult routine.
‘Every time we finish this routine, I’m literally on an oxygen mask for about five minutes. If I’m still standing by the end of Saturday night, I’ll be impressed,’ he said.
Nigel – who is married to Lucy Liemann – reportedly missed training on Saturday morning, while Katya was seen in attendance, after working ‘really hard’ in rehearsals to try and secure a place in the final.
A source told The Sun: ‘Nigel wasn’t in training this morning, and other dancers were informed later on in the day. He and Katya were really disappointed as they were hoping to stay in the competition.
‘They hadn’t been in the bottom two so had a real chance of making it to the finals. Nigel has been training really hard and really through himself into rehearsals.’
Nigel has not yet expanded on his departure from the show, but simply shared the official Strictly statement to his own Instagram Stories.
During an appearance on Steph’s Packed Lunch, Nigel also said he would be ‘impressed’ if he was still standing after the difficult routine
Nigel reportedly missed training on Saturday morning amid his exit, after working ‘really hard’ in rehearsals to try and secure a place in the final (pictured last week with Katya)
Katya was seen on the phone as she attended rehearsals on Saturday morning, just hours before Nigel’s exit was announced. Nigel was reportedly not at Saturday’s rehearsal session
He is not the only star who has quit the 2023 Strictly series after Amanda Abbington – who was paired up with Giovanni Pernice – quit in October due to medical reasons.
Nigel’s exit leaves just Ellie Leach, Bobby Brazier, Layton Williams and Annabel Croft still left in the contest battling it out in a bid to lift the iconic glitterball trophy.
After the BBC announced the news on social media, fans were quick to take to the comments section to share their dismay at the popular star’s exit.
Others also questioned whether there will still be a public vote after Nigel’s exit or if the date of the final, set for December 16, will change. MailOnline understands that the logistic details of any changes will be shared in Saturday night’s episode.
One fan wrote: ‘Absolutely gutted for him. He was heading to the final for sure. Speedy recovery Nigel.’
Another said: ‘I’m so upset for him I liked him,’ a third commented: ‘OMG I’m so gutted he was my favourite dancer.’
A fourth penned: ‘That’s such a shame I’m gutted for Katya too as he’s been her best contestant ages,’ and a fifth said: ‘That’s very sad after all his hard work.’
STRICTLY COME DANCING 2023: THE CONTESTANTS’ PROFILES
Layton Williams
Age: 28
Profession: Actor
Layton says: ‘Absolutely buzzing to confirm that I will be taking part in THE most iconic dance competition in the UK! It’s time to bring it to the Ballroom. So excited to learn new skills from the best. Bring on the sequins… ALL the sequins!’
Ellie Leach
Age: 22
Profession: Coronation Street star
Ellie says: ‘It still doesn’t feel real that I’m going to be doing Strictly!! It’s always been a dream of mine so I guess dreams really do come true!!!!’
Bobby Brazier
Age: 20
Profession: EastEnders star and model
Bobby says: ‘I’m so excited to be part of the Strictly line up, I can’t wait to start training like a professional dancer and adding a few moves to my locker. I’m looking forward to performing in-front of everyone.’
Annabel Croft
Age: 57
Profession: Broadcaster and ex tennis player
Annabel says: ‘I have always loved watching Strictly and can’t quite believe I’m going to be part of this magical show – swapping tennis balls for glitter balls and looking forward to finding some joyfulness in the process.’
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