Strictly Come Dancing crew were reportedly relieved when contestant Nigel Harman was forced to pull out of the competition after experiencing his backstage mood swings, a source has revealed.
The former EastEnders star, 50, was forced to quit the show hours before he was set to take to the stage in the live quarter finals. The actor injured his rubs while he was training for the live show with his professional dance partner Katya Jones.
The TV favourite was at risk of being booted from the competition this week after receiving disappointing scores from the judges last week as the competition tightens in the lead up to the finals. Now, a TV insider has revealed to The Sun that Casualty star could sometimes be difficult backstage.
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They told the publication: “Nigel takes himself very seriously as a performer and throws himself heart and soul into things. So obviously, he’s very emotional if things don’t go as he hoped.
(Image: BBC)
“That often means that he can be like a bear with a sore head backstage. Viewers got a glimpse of that when he received disappointing scores for their quickstep in Blackpool.”
The source continued: “The crew and pros on the show are like a close family and the celebrities are welcomed into that. But if someone upsets that long-standing dynamic, it can create a bad feeling.
“Despite this, everyone one the show also felt huge sympathy for Nigel despite having to leave the competition under such difficult circumstances.” The BBC declined to comment on the claims but shared their disappointment about the soap star’s unfortunate exit.
(Image: PA)
They told us: ‘It is always sad when a contestant leaves the show, particularly when an injury is sustained. Nigel will be well missed by those who have worked alongside him on the show and everyone wishes him the very best and looks forward to seeing him at the final on Saturday 16th December.’
During Blackpool week, Nigel and Katya placed second from the bottom after the judges awarded them a total of 31 out of a possible 40 points. At the time, viewers claimed he looked extremely upset after they received the devastating score.
Footage later emerged of him immediately leaving the stage as soon as filming ended. Taking to the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, one user penned: “Nigel’s been broken tonight.”
(Image: BBC)
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Former Strictly pro Robin Windsor agreed: “Nigel is NOT happy”. During this weekend’s show, there was no public vote or elimination as a result of Nigel’s departure.
Speaking on Saturday night’s (December 2) show, Nigel said he was “leaping off a rostrum, about to be caught by some very handsome men” when he sustained the injury. He 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.”
This means tennis star Annabel Croft and actors Layton Williams and Ellie Leach will go straight through to this week’s semi-final. They were all scored on Saturday and their scores will be carried over to this weekend’s show when viewers can once again vote for their favourites to win.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
