Claudia Winkleman comforts sobbing Katya Jones after Strictly Come Dancing exit

02 December 2023 , 21:03

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Claudia Winkleman comforts sobbing Katya Jones after Strictly Come Dancing exit

Strictly Come Dancing's Claudia Winkleman comforted a sobbing Katya Jones after she and Nigel Harman left the show.

A BBC spokesperson confirmed his exit on Saturday, saying: "Unfortunately Nigel has sustained an injury which means he is unable to perform in tonight’s show and has had to withdraw from Strictly." This is the second quit of the series as Amanda Abbington, 51, left the BBC Latin and ballroom show a few weeks back due to personal reasons.

Appearing on Saturday's show, Nigel, 50, and pro partner Katya, 34, broke their silence over their show exit. Nigel said of his injury in rehearsals: "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!"

Talking about his time on the show, Nigel said: "Oh, I've loved it! I've loved it and I am loving it, it's too soon to say loved. This hasn't really sunk in, when I watched everyone come down the stairs, I was a bit like: 'Oh this is real, I'm not part of this anymore.' That was quite sad and I've been avoiding Katya all day because that makes it really real."

Strictly Come Dancing's Claudia Winkleman comforted a sobbing Katya Jones after she and Nigel Harman left the show (BBC)

Katya then discussed their exit, saying: "It's quite hard to talk right now, I'm not going to lie! But I have absolutely loved every moment of us creating magic on a dance floor." Issuing a sweet message to Katya, Nigel said: "So Katya, the only reason I'm standing here is because of all the work you've put into me.

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"You turn up every day with so many hundreds of great ideas. You challenge me, you push me, you support me. You make me laugh." Nigel added: "You're just part of me now. I can't even look at you!" The duo then watched back their best bits as Katya broke down in tears and needed tissues. Comforting a sobbing Katya, host Claudia, 51, sweetly said: "You're okay, baby, you're okay" as she grabbed Katya's arm in support.

Nigel and pro partner Katya were due to perform the Charleston to Step in Time from the feel-good movie and musical Mary Poppins on Saturday night for the show's Musicals Week. This weekend, the four remaining celebrities took to the dance floor for the semi-finals in a bid to impress judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.

Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell, Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola, Annabel Croft and Johannes Radebe and Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin will not be facing a public vote or elimination this weekend due to Nigel's exit. Bobby, 20, and Dianne, 34, performed a Salsa to the classic I've Had the Time of My Life from Dirty Dancing.

Ellie, 22, and Vito, 31, performed a Quickstep to Belle from Disney classic Beauty and the Beast. Annabel, 57, and Johannes, 36, performed a Foxtrot to For Good from the incredible musical Wicked. Layton, 29, and Nikita, 25, landed back on top of the leaderboard with their Paso Doble to Backstage Romance from Moulin Rouge.

Olivia Wheeler