Strictly Come Dancing contestant Harry Aikines-Aryeetey has shared his concerns that a rare genetic health condition he has lived with since birth could potentially work against him in the competition. The Gladiators star, known for his muscular physique as 'Nitro', revealed his fears during a candid discussion on the Parenting Hell podcast.
The Condition Behind the Muscle
The 37-year-old athlete explained that he has a myostatin deficiency, a condition that affects his body's ability to produce myostatin protein. This genetic makeup results in significantly increased muscle mass and very low body fat, creating the powerful physique that served him well as a professional sprinter for Team GB.
During his podcast appearance with hosts Rob Beckett and Josh Widdicombe, fellow Strictly Christmas Special participant Josh observed that while Harry excels in routines requiring physical strength, his muscular build might make him "too stiff for the romantic numbers." Harry responded frankly: "These are things I'm scared of. These muscles are actually going to work against me."
A Truly Rare Condition
Myostatin deficiency is considered extremely rare, with medical estimates suggesting as few as one in four million people worldwide have been diagnosed with the condition. Despite this challenge, Harry has been making his mark on the dance floor with professional partner Karen Hauer.
Their journey hasn't been without setbacks, however. During their recent Halloween week performance, the couple delivered an American Smooth that divided the judges, earning them a score of just 30 points and placing them second from bottom on the leaderboard.
From Track to Dance Floor
Away from the glitterball, Harry boasts an impressive sporting career that includes competing for Team GB at the Olympics and winning multiple European and Commonwealth relay gold medals. His transition from elite athlete to entertainment personality has seen him become a fan favourite on both Gladiators and now Strictly Come Dancing.
Viewers can see how Harry and Karen fare when Strictly Come Dancing: The Results returns on Sunday, 9 November at 7:10 pm on BBC One.
