Crew members on Strictly Come Dancing were reportedly relieved when actor Nigel Harman left the competition after experiencing frequent backstage mood swings. Harman, known for his roles in Casualty and EastEnders, quit the show just hours before the quarter-final due to a rib injury sustained during rehearsals with his professional dance partner, Katya Jones.
Judges' Disappointing Scores and Frustration
Harman had been receiving consistently low scores from the judges throughout the competition, which often left him frustrated. This made him a favorite to leave the show even before his injury forced him out. A TV insider revealed that Harman takes his performances very seriously and can become emotional when things don't go as he hopes, leading to backstage tension.
Sympathy and Understanding
Despite the relief felt by the crew, there was also a sense of sympathy for Harman's difficult circumstances. The Strictly Come Dancing crew and professional dancers form a close-knit family, and when someone upsets the dynamic, it can create bad feelings. In Blackpool week, Harman and Jones finished second from bottom, with judges awarding them a total of 31 points out of 40. Viewers noted Harman's apparent anger during the show, and later footage showed him leaving the stage immediately after filming concluded.
Nigel Harman's Departure and Impact
As a result of Harman's departure, there was no public vote or elimination on the most recent episode of Strictly Come Dancing. Harman's exit means that tennis star Annabel Croft and actors Layton Williams and Ellie Leach advance straight through to the semi-finals. Their scores from the previous episode will be carried over, and viewers will have the opportunity to vote for their favorites in the upcoming show.
Speaking about his injury on the show, Harman humorously said, "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."
Unfortunately, Harman's rib injury prevented him from performing in the most recent episode of Strictly Come Dancing, and he had to withdraw from the competition. A BBC spokesperson confirmed the news and expressed regret over Harman's injury.
