Nigel Harman has withdrawn from Strictly Come Dancing after sustaining a rib injury just hours before the quarter-finals. The 50-year-old Casualty actor had been due to perform a Charleston with his partner, Katya Jones, on Saturday night.
During the show, Harman revealed he ended up in hospital after injuring his rib while practising a jump. He told host Claudia Winkleman: 'I was leaping off a rostrum and was about to be caught by some very handsome men and as I flew, I was Peter Pan and as I landed, I was in A&E. I’ve done something to my rib basically and it’s quite painful.'
Harman's departure leaves four celebrities in the competition: Ellie Leach, Annabel Croft, Layton Williams, and Bobby Brazier. The BBC confirmed there would be no public vote or elimination this weekend, with judges' scores carried over to next week.
Fellow contestants expressed support on social media. Annabel Croft said she was 'devastated' for Harman, while Layton Williams sent 'so much love'. A BBC spokesperson confirmed the injury, stating Harman was 'unable to perform' and had to withdraw.
Harman is not the first celebrity to quit this series; Amanda Abbington withdrew in October citing personal reasons.
