Actor and DJ Kristian Nairn has withdrawn from the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing for medical reasons.
The BBC confirmed the news just a week after unveiling the full celebrity line-up for the 2025 run, which included Love Island's Danni Dyer, Gladiator Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal and drag performer La Voix.
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The launch show, already recorded, is due to air on 20 September, but Nairn's departure was announced on Thursday (21 August).
In a statement, he 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."
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Sarah James, Executive Producer of 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."
Nairn is best known for playing Hodor in HBO's Game of Thrones, a role that cemented his status with a global fanbase.
He also stars in the HBO comedy Our Flag Means Death and has a long career as a house DJ, performing at clubs including Amnesia, Café Mambo and Hakkasan alongside the likes of Steve Aoki, Fatboy Slim and Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike.
When he was first announced for Strictly, Nairn had admitted: "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!"
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