Strictly Come Dancing's Kristian Nairn quits before first live show with sad statement

Strictly Come Dancing star Kristian Nairn has pulled out of the BBC One show just one week into training. The actor and DJ revealed that he has stepped back for "medical reasons".

He said in a statement: “With a heavy heart, I have to step back from this season of Strictly Come Dancing due to unexpected medical reasons. I was truly looking forward to the journey, and I’m deeply sorry to disappoint anyone who was looking forward to seeing me on the dance floor.

"Thank you all for your support, and I will be back on my feet very soon, in every sense. Love to all, Kristian." It comes after Strictly celebrity pairings 'revealed' and one star who could be 'benched'.

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Sarah James, Executive Producer at BBC Studios, 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."

The Game of Thrones star, who was best known for playing Hodor in the hit HBO series, was the final name to be announced as part of the Strictly Come Dancing line-up last week. He said on Friday: "This will be a huge challenge for me physically, but I’m ready to rise to it! It’s a surreal and wonderful opportunity to shed one of my left feet."

Kristian, 49, is best known for his portrayal of Hodor on Game of Thrones from 2011 until 2016, as well as roles in Ripper Street, The Rookie and Our Flag Means Death. Outside of acting, he is a progressive house and trance DJ and used to have a residency at Belfast gay club Kremlin.

Rehearsals for the BBC One show are now underway, with the 2025 line-up being spotted arriving at a studio in London. This year's cast features model and disability campaigner Ellie Goldstein, ex footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Drag Race UK star La Voix, former Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattison and The Apprentice's Thomas Skinner.

They'll be joined by Gladiators' Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Love Island winner Dani Dyer, Doctor Who's Alex Kingston, EastEnders' Balvinder Sopal, TikTok star George Clarke, former rugby player Chris Robshaw, Neighbours legend Stefan Dennis, ITV entertainment correspondent Ross King and footballer Karen Carney.

Earlier this week, Anton Du Beke delivered a grim warning to this year's stars during an appearance on Lorraine. He revealed that they should be prepared for a lot of chafing during rehearsals.

"It's so cliché, but have a great time. Embrace it, really embrace it. Because you'll only get one go at this, you never get asked back. Just give it your best shot!" he said.

"Try and leave the inhibitions at the door, and enter with a free mind and a free spirit. I'd wear good under garments if I were you," he warned them. "There'll be a lot of movement - stuff that you've never done before, and there will definitely be chafing!"

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