Strictly Come Dancing contestant Nigel Harman is confirmed to return to the show later this month, despite pulling out of the competition.
The Casualty star, who was paired with professional dancer Katya Jones, withdrew from the series over the weekend (December 2) after sustaining an injury to his ribs.
However, Digital Spy understands that the actor will return to the Strictly ballroom before the current series comes to a close.
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A Strictly insider 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."
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Each year, previous members of the Strictly class return to perform a routine together in the grand final – and it appears Nigel will be amongst the 2023 contestants despite his injury.
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The actor appeared alongside Katya on Saturday's live show, explaining his injury and how it came about.
"I was leaping off a rostrum and I 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," he told Strictly host Claudia Winkleman.
"So 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."
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Reflecting on his Strictly experience, the former EastEnders star added: "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 coming down the stairs I was like 'This is real, I'm not part of this anymore', and that was quite sad."
Nigel's dance partner Katya also added: "I have absolutely loved every moment of us creating magic on the dance floor."
Four couples now remain in the competition, with one set to leave the show this weekend after the semi-final results show.
Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturdays and Sundays on BBC One, while spin-off Strictly: It Takes Two airs on weeknights on BBC Two. Both shows are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
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Emily is an experienced freelance entertainment writer and editor, reporting on all things TV, film, soaps and showbiz. An NCTJ-qualified journalist, with a First Class Honours degree in Journalism from the University of Sussex, Emily is a former Deputy News Editor and Evening News Editor at Digital Spy. She has previously worked at Hello magazine, BBC South News and GoodtoKnow.
A small and big-screen obsessive – with subscriptions to every TV and film service under the sun – Emily knows her movie stars from soap stars, and is always clued up on the latest reality show dumping, just-dropped trailer or off-screen spat. She's interviewed a number of celebrities over the years, with highlights including The Masked Singer host Joel Dommett and GMB's Kate Garraway (who "loved" her trousers).
Emily counts Sharon Horgan and Julia Davis as her TV heroes, and is a loyal Wes Anderson fan. LinkedIn
