Strictly Come Dancing's Nigel Harman dealt huge blow ahead of BBC quarter-final

01 December 2023 , 12:59

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Strictly Come Dancing's Nigel Harman dealt huge blow ahead of BBC quarter-final

Strictly Come Dancing star Nigel Harman has been dealt a huge blow ahead of the BBC show’s quarter-final.

The former EastEnders star, who is paired with pro Katya Jones, was one of the favourites to lift the glitterball trophy when the show kicked off in September, and viewers were excited to see him hit the dancefloor. However, his routines have failed to impress judges Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and head judge Shirley Ballas.

Last week, Nigel’s rumba left him second from bottom on the scoreboard yet again, and the actor, who has had experience in musical theatre, has never managed to score a coveted 10 from any of the judges. Now, it has emerged that the star is the favourite to leave Strictly this weekend, after a string of lacklustre routines.

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Nigel's routines have failed to impress the judges (BBC/Guy Levy)

According to Coral, the 50-year-old has even odds to leave on Sunday, with Bobby Brazier - once the odds-on favourite to win Strictly - a close second with 7-4 odds he’ll be eliminated. Annabel Croft, who is paired with Johannes Radebe, is 4-1.

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Ellie Leach, who has bowled over judges and fans with her incredible routines with partner Vito Coppola, is now 1-5 favourite to win the glitterball trophy, with former tennis player Annabel 5-1, and EastEnders star Bobby 16-1.

Their rumba last week was described as 'lacklustre' by some viewers (BBC)

“Nigel was once the favourite to lift the Glitterball Trophy this year but we think he is under the most pressure to survive this weekend. The actor tops the elimination betting ahead of Bobby Brazier,” a spokesperson for the bookmaker explained. “In the outright market, we think it's Ellie's to lose from here.”

Nigel’s fans are hopeful that Saturday’s show, which is Musicals Weeks, will help bring him back from the brink of elimination. The actor, who has appeared in West End shows such as Guys and Dolls and Shrek, will be performing Charleston with Katya to Step In Time from Mary Poppins.

Nigel was one of the favourites to win the glitterball trophy (BBC)

The actor has faced criticism over his previous dance experience, with some suggesting it was a “fix” that NIgel had made it so far in the competition. However, long-serving judge Craig waded into the row, and defended Nigel, as well as Layton, who also has history performing on stage.

“A male celebrity coming in that's an actor, that we know him for, yes he's done musical theatre but you don't do paso dobles, generally in musical theatre - it's called Strictly ballroom!” he said during an appearance on Strictly spin-off It Takes Two.

Emma Wilson