“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.”
A Northern Irish actor and DJ has pulled out of the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing for “medical reasons”.
It comes less than a week after Kristian Nairn was revealed as the final celebrity to join the new series of the hit BBC show.
Kristian was named as the 15th contestant set to eye up the Glitterball Trophy next month when the hit show returns to BBC 1 and BBC iPlayer.
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The Lisburn man is an internationally renowned actor, DJ and creative force who has spent over two decades at the forefront of music and entertainment.
The 49-year old is best known for his unforgettable portrayal of Hodor in HBO’s global phenomenon Game of Thrones, a role that earned him a devoted international following and created one of the most iconic and emotional moments in recent TV history.
In a statement on Thursday afternoon, a spokesperson for BBC Strictly Come Dancing said: “Due to medical reasons, actor and DJ Kristian Nairn has sadly withdrawn from the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing.”
Sharing his own statement, Kristian said: “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.”
Sarah James, Executive Producer, 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.”
Kristian is also known to millions around the world for his role as Wee John Feeney in two series of the HBO comedy Our Flag Means Death. As one of the country’s most prolific house DJs, he has played alongside industry icons including Steve Aoki, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, Fatboy Slim, and Danny Howard.
A replacement for Nairn will be announced on BBC’s The One Show on Thursday at 7pm.
Strictly’s full cast of celebrity contestants for its upcoming series will include the likes of Love Island winner Dani Dyer-Bowen, former Apprentice star Tom Skinner and former Chelsea footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this autumn.
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