02 December 2023 , 16:39
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Strictly Come Dancing professionals and former contestants of the 2023 season have reacted in shock and sadness at the news Nigel Harman and Katya Jones have been forced to quit the show - hours before the quarter-final.
On Saturday, news broke that 50-year-old soap hunk Nigel and 34-year-old dance partner Katya would not be able to take part in the live show due to air that evening - and would be bowing out of the competition entirely. The shock news was a result of Nigel suffering an unspecified injury - which has cost the pair a chance to claim the Glitterball Trophy.
The news came hours before the live show - and has sparked chaos behind the scenes of the BBC series as show bosses are reportedly unsure how to progress for the results show that will air on Sunday. An official BBC spokesperson announced the news of Nigel and Katya’s departure - confirming: “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 official Strictly Come Dancing Instagram page also helped spread the news by sharing a statement alongside a snap of the pair together. The statement read: “Unfortunately, Nigel Harman and Katya Jones have had to withdraw from the competition. We wish Nigel a speedy recovery and they both will be very much missed by our entire Strictly family.”
Nigel Harman's Strictly Come Dancing dream came to an end on Saturday as injury forced him out of the contest (BBC/Kieron McCarron)
Nigel and Katya had expressed their excitement prior to Musicals Week (PA)Many Strictly professionals reacted to the update to share their sadness. Gorka Marquez, who was eliminated second this year after being partnered with presenter Nikita Kanda, reacted by sharing crying emojis. And Nadiya Bychkova, who has been in the show group performances and backing dancing, shared sad-faced emojis and a praying hands emoji.
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Jowita Przystał, who had been paired with Paralympian Jody Cundy but knocked out in week three, also responded with a crying-face emoji alongside a black heart emoji. And recently eliminated star Angela Rippon - who made it to Blackpool with her dance partner Kai Widdrington - also shared crying-face emojis in response to the news being shared on Instagram.
Over on X/Twitter, Channel 4 newsreader Krishnan Guru-Murthy was among those sharing shock at the news. The star - who was a 2023 contestant and was eliminated in week eight wrote: "Terrible news. Poor Nigel and Katya - and in musicals week as well which he was so excited about. So sad for a lovely man and amazing dancer."
Nigel and Katya are the second couple to quit Strictly during the 2023 contest as Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice were forced to quit the show after week five. It Takes Two host Janette Manrara confirmed the news at the time, telling viewers at home: "Unfortunately, due to medical reasons, Amanda will not be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this weekend." An official post from Strictly stated: “Amanda Abbington is unable to continue in Strictly Come Dancing and has decided to withdraw from the competition. The show wishes her all the best for the future.”
Amanda was not replaced on the show, and the judges continued to eliminate contestants as standard - after many fans expected no contestant would be sent home in the wake of the news about Amanda’s abrupt exit from the show. Now some viewers are concerned another celeb will be eliminated this weekend even though Nigel and Katya have already bowed out.
One fan wrote on X/Twitter: “Nigel Harman has had to withdraw from Strictly due to an injury... I wonder if the producers will decide to not send anyone home this week or if they’ll continue on their usual stupid path and not consider that they might run out of finalists.” A show source told the Mirror that even show bosses were unsure how to proceed.
The source said: “It’s a live situation and the logistical details will be revealed on the show this evening... I think it’s fair to report that BBC are unsure if a celebrity will be eliminated tonight.”