Kristian Nairn statement in full as Strictly says quitting is 'best option for everyone'

Kristian Nairn has told how quittingStrictly Come Dancingwas a major blow, but hopes he may get another crack at the show. The Game of Thrones star pulled out just one week into rehearsals, blaming difficulties including stress and grief.

He will be replaced by Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope as BBC bosses scrambled to find a last-minute stand-in. Northern Ireland-born Kristian revealed he had quit in an emotional Instagram video.

The 49-year-old said: “Like so many people at the minute, I have been dealing with a high level of stress and a little bit of grief, if I’m going to be really real. I’ve always been my mother’s son and I have always powered through things like this in the past and any other time of my life actually. Honestly, I think I’ve got a pretty healthy attitude towards stuff like this.

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"I thought I did, at least. For the first time it’s manifested physically and it’s caused a spike in my vitals. It’s entered an area of concern. I’m a big guy. Always have been, ever since I stepped foot on this earth. So I take my health very seriously and I do see my doctor all the time. I was checked for the show two weeks before and everything was fine. So he was happy for me to take part.

"Please note, I’m OK. I’m under treatment already and my doctor isn’t concerned. And after two to three weeks I’ll be pretty much back to normal. But sadly, I don’t have time for the show now, for all the training and everything like that.

"And I also don’t want to leave them, you and the other ­contestants hanging. It’s not really fair. I’m gutted to say the least. I was really looking forward to taking part in this."

Kristian, who played giant Hodor in Game Of Thrones, praised Strictly for their support and hinted the door could be left open for a return. He added: “I’ve honestly felt 100% supported so I’m really grateful for that. So let’s see what happens when I get it sorted.

"I’m going to be taking it easy for now and I’ll be able to return to work very shortly. I was so excited for this. Not only for myself but for the amazing people from my home of Northern Ireland. It’s always been an honour in my weird way to show I’m from NI. I’m sorry if I’ve let you down in any way but I will continue to do my best."

Kristian, who recently appeared in BBC pirate comedy Our Flag Means Death, also paid tribute to his fellow celebrities and said he has enjoyed his “brief” encounters.

He said: “It’s a really great bunch of people and I’m really looking forward to watching and seeing how well you all do. Who knows what the future holds?”

Strictly executive Producer Sarah James added: “We’ve ­absolutely loved getting to know Kristian in this short time, and he has all the makings of a brilliant Strictly Come Dancing contestant.

“We’re incredibly sorry to lose him from this year’s series and we all wish him a speedy recovery.” Rehearsals began last week and sources claimed the actor ­struggled from the outset.

One said: “Kristian sadly just wasn’t up to competing on Strictly and so he had to pull out. The celebrities have not been paired up yet but he had a couple sessions in the group number and they were a shock to the system.

"By his own admission he found them a struggle and may have been surprised how much of a challenge it was physically for him. He wasn’t feeling great and the best option for everyone was for him to leave the show at this stage. It has been a bit of a scramble but we have got a replacement."

DJ and drag performer Kristian has detailed his physical and mental health struggles in his memoir Beyond the Throne.

Strictly has been hit by a string of storms recently. Last year, dancer Giovanni Pernice quit after being was accused of bullying and harassing 2023 partner Amanda Abbington. Some complaints against him were upheld but he was cleared of the most serious ones in a probe.

In the same series, the BBC pro Graziano Di Prima was removed over claims of misconduct towards partner Zara McDermott during training. And this year, Welsh opera singer Wynne Evans left the dance tour after being accused of making inappropriate remarks

The full Strictly line up was announced last week. Taking part are Love Island ’s Dani Dyer, former England rugby union star Chris Robshaw, model Ellie Goldstein, Gladiator Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, ­ EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal and Lewis – who told how he was only asked on Monday if he could join up.

The 30-year-old, who plays Nicky Milligan in the soap, said he was walking down Oxford Street on his way to meet a friend when he received the phone call. He said: “I think, if anything, it’s probably helped me because I haven’t really had time to think about it or anything so now the excitement has kind of just taken over.”

Lewis, nominated for the Rising Star Award at the 2023 National ­Television awards, also starred in Vera and Miss Sidhu Investigates.

Strictly, hosted by Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, returns next month. Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas are judges.

Kristian isn’t the first celebrity to quit Strictly at the 11th hour. In 2019, Made In Chelsea star Jamie Laing stepped aside after suffering an injury in rehearsals. Emmerdale’s Kelvin Fletcher replaced him and went on to win the series with Oti Mabuse. Jamie returned to the show the following year and made it to the final.

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