BBC Strictly Come Dancing star is forced to quit hours before live show
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Strictly Come Dancing star Nigel Harman and his dance partner Katya Jones have left the show just hours before the live show this weekend on medical grounds.
The former EastEnders star, 50, was due to perform the Charleston to the hit song Step In Time from Disney's film Mary Poppins on tonight's (December 2) live quarter finals.
A source explained to 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.
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"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 threw himself into rehearsals."
A spokesperson from the BBC later confirmed the news that the star would be leaving the show effective immediately with a statement. It read: "Unfortunately, Nigel has sustained an injury which means he is unable to perform in tonight's show and has had to withdraw from Strictly."
The actor's withdrawal could mean that there won't be an elimination this week. This means that the remaining celebs – Ellie Leach, Annabel Croft, Layton Williams and Bobby Brazier could make it through to next week's show despite their performances.
Last weekend, the duo performed one of the show's steamiest routines of the series. They could be seen writhing around on a bed while the Russian pro dancer, 34, performed in a silk negligee.
The dancing duo turned up the heat with their sizzling rhumba to Celine Dion's hit power ballad, It's All Coming Back To Me Now. During the performance, the Casualty star planted a kiss on her forehead.
Speaking after the routine, he gushed: "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 weeks, is when we stand on the corner of the dancefloor and we hold hands and we walk out there together."
After the news hit the headlines, fans flooded to the social media site X – formerly known as Twitter – to share their disappointment online. One user penned: "Really, really sad for Nigel [sad emoji] Hope they decide against going ahead with eliminations tonight and keep it as a three-couple final #Strictly."
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Another agreed: "Really hope Nigel is okay! He did so well and I'm so proud of how much him and Katya achieved! #strictly." A third echoed: "So sad to be seeing Nigel and Katya leave Strictly.
"They did ever so well and will be a shame not to see him into the semi finals and we all wish him the best [heart emoji]." Their shocking departure is the second blow of the series after Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice withdrew from the competition on medical grounds.
The actress was star who was tipped to take the famous glitterball early on this year. The pair wowed judges with several stellar routines in the first few weeks of the show.
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