Nigel Harman has withdrawn from Strictly Come Dancing after sustaining a rib injury just hours before the quarter-finals of the competition.
The Casualty actor, 50, had been due to compete with a Charleston to Step in Time from Disney’s Mary Poppins with his partner, Katya Jones, on Saturday night.
Harman’s departure leaves just four celebrities in the competition – the actor Ellie Leach, tennis star Annabel Croft, theatre and TV star Layton Williams and EastEnders actor Bobby Brazier.
During Saturday evening’s show, Harman revealed he ended up in hospital after sustaining his rib injury while practising a jump for his Strictly Come Dancing routine.
He told host Claudia Winkleman: “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. I’m a little bit high on painkillers as well, but I’m having a lovely time.”
The Casualty star added that he has “loved” his time on the BBC show and admitted the reality he would no longer compete in it had not sunk in yet.
An emotional Jones said she had “absolutely loved every moment of us creating magic on a dancefloor”, adding: “I know the reasons you did this, for your daughter and for your parents and especially missing out on this number, I know your parents would be very, very proud of you. And I hope you got something out of this that you’re going to cherish forever in your broken rib.”
Earlier, Harman’s fellow contestants posted words of support on social media.
Croft said onInstagram: “Devastated for you Nigel! I am wishing you a speedy recovery. You are an effortless and talented dancer xxx.”
Williams, who is partnered with professional Nikita Kuzmin, also sent a message of support, writing: “Sending so much love to them both!”
A BBC spokesperson said on Saturday afternoon: “Unfortunately Nigel has sustained an injury which means he is unable to perform in tonight’s show and has had to withdraw from Strictly.”
A post on the show’s Instagram page wished Harman a speedy recovery and said the couple would be “very much missed by our entire Strictly family”.
The BBC confirmed that Harman had suffered a rib injury after initial reports suggested that the former EastEnders actor had injured his leg.
Saturday night’s show had no public vote or elimination this weekend after Harman’s withdrawal.
Winkleman began the show by saying: “there will be no public vote tonight and no elimination this weekend”.
The co-host Tess Daly clarified that the judges would still be scoring the dances and their votes would be carried over to next week.
Last Saturday, Harman danced the rumba to It’s All Coming Back to Me Now by Celine Dion, scoring 33 points.
Anton Du Beke called the performance “super duper” but said Harman tried to dance with Jones, instead of letting her perform around him.
Harman is not the first celebrity to quit Strictly this year. In October, actor Amanda Abbington withdrew from the show after missing a week on medical grounds. She later cited personal reasons for her exit.
