Nigel Harman joked St John’s Ambulance were ‘on standby’ and he’d be ‘surprised if he was still standing’ just hours before shock Strictly exit

Nigel Harman joked he had St John’s Ambulance ‘on standby’ and he would be surprised if he ‘was still standing’, less than a day before he was forced to quit Strictly Come Dancing.

The Casualty actor, 50, was gearing up to perform a Charleston to Step in Time from Mary Poppins with his professional partner Katya Jones for the quarter finals.

However, he has had to pull out of the BBC dance contest on medical grounds after sustaining an injury, which is said to have left him ‘really disappointed‘.

Just hours before, Nigel had opened up about his love of musicals during an appearance on It Takes Two on Friday and seemed in good spirits about the extravagant routine.

He told host Fleur East:  ‘I just love musicals, I love the singing and dancing and the heightened emotions of it all. We’ve got this banger this week, it’s full on showbiz.

Nigel Harman joked he had St John’s Ambulance ‘on standby’ and he would be surprised if he ‘was still standing’ less than a day before he was forced to quit Strictly Come Dancing

The Casualty actor, 50, was gearing up to perform a Charleston to Step in Time from Mary Poppins with his professional partner Katya Jones for the quarter finals

Nigel had even opened up about his love for musicals ahead of their planned performance of Step in Time 

He added: ‘There’s leaps, there’s carries and we’re flying around and I end up needing oxygen every time I do it. It’s full on but it’s exciting.’

‘I’m not gonna lie, the Rumba just sort of mincing around wafting my hips in a general  direction with some arms was lovely, maybe one bead of sweat.

‘This week, St John’s ambulance are on standby.’

Had Nigel remained with the show and gone through to the next round, he would have made it to the semi-finals and hinted he would have struggled to learn two routines in one week.

He said: ‘Two dances in a week, I hear a its possible but I’m just going to walk blindly with it and pretend that everything is fine!’ 

During an appearance on Steph’s Packed Lunch, Nigel also said he would be ‘impressed’ if he was still standing after the difficult routine. 

‘Every time we finish this routine, I’m literally on an oxygen mask for about five minutes. If I’m still standing by the end of Saturday night, I’ll be impressed,’ he said. 

On the chat show, Katya had also joked about how she had been training Nigel to ‘dirty’ up his dances, while host Steph praised his exceptional dance moves.

She said: ‘He has that poise and elegance about his moves. He always makes, even the rumba, which can be quite awkward for male celebrities; it looks so effortless and natural, so you either have it or you either have it or you don’t, and he definitely has it.

During an appearance on Steph’s Packed Lunch, Nigel also said he would be ‘impressed’ if he was still standing after the difficult routine

Nigel reportedly missed training on Saturday morning amid his exit, after working ‘really hard’ in rehearsals to try and secure a place in the final (pictured last week with Katya)  

‘But we have been trying to deconstruct him for this week and I am like ”NO”.’ 

Nigel chipped in and said: ‘Basically I have been told I am not dirty enough. I’m not dirty enough for this dance so I am trying to dirty it up.’

However, less than one day after those comments, Nigel – who this week was revealed as the bookies favourite to leave – quit the show altogether after sustaining an injury. 

The BBC confirmed to MailOnline: ‘Unfortunately Nigel has sustained an injury which means he is unable to perform in tonight’s show and has had to withdraw from Strictly.’

Nigel is not the only star who has quit the 2023 Strictly series after Amanda Abbington – who was paired up with Giovanni Pernice – quit in October due to medical reasons.

Nigel reportedly missed training on Saturday morning amid his exit, after working ‘really hard’ in rehearsals to try and secure a place in the final.

A source told The Sun: ‘Nigel wasn’t in training this morning, and other dancers were informed later on in the day. He and Katya were really disappointed as they were hoping to stay in the competition.

‘They hadn’t been in the bottom two so had a real chance of making it to the finals.

‘Nigel has been training really hard and really through himself into rehearsals.’

STRICTLY COME DANCING 2023: THE CONTESTANTS’ PROFILES

Layton Williams

Age: 28

Profession: Actor

Layton says: ‘Absolutely buzzing to confirm that I will be taking part in THE most iconic dance competition in the UK! It’s time to bring it to the Ballroom. So excited to learn new skills from the best. Bring on the sequins… ALL the sequins!’

Ellie Leach 

Age: 22

Profession:  Coronation Street star

Ellie says: ‘It still doesn’t feel real that I’m going to be doing Strictly!! It’s always been a dream of mine so I guess dreams really do come true!!!!’

Bobby Brazier 

Age: 20

Profession:  EastEnders star and model 

Bobby says: ‘I’m so excited to be part of the Strictly line up, I can’t wait to start training like a professional dancer and adding a few moves to my locker. I’m looking forward to performing in-front of everyone.’

Annabel Croft 

Age: 57 

Profession:  Broadcaster and ex tennis player

Annabel says: ‘I have always loved watching Strictly and can’t quite believe I’m going to be part of this magical show – swapping tennis balls for glitter balls and looking forward to finding some joyfulness in the process.’

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