The BBC has hit back at reports that members of the Strictly Come Dancing crew were “relieved” by Nigel Harman’s premature exit from the series.
On Saturday,
Harman revealed he’d injured his rib in a tearful farewell interview alongside partner Katya Jones
, leaving just four stars remaining in the contest.
Katya Jones burst into tears as she bid farewell to the show
BBC
“It is always sad when a contestant leaves the show, particularly when an injury is sustained,” a BBC spokesperson said.
“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, December 16.”
The spokesperson also revealed if Harman would dance in the grand final as they added to Express.co.uk: “It’s a live situation, but the plan is that Nigel will be there, yes.”
The BBC’s emphatic slap-down of “relief” claims comes after a source said: “Nigel takes himself very seriously as a performer and throws himself heart and soul into things.
“So obviously he’s very emotional if things don’t go as he hoped. That often means that he can be like a bear with a sore head backstage.
“Viewers got a glimpse of that when he received disappointing scores for their quickstep in Blackpool.
“The crew and pros on the show are like a close family and the celebrities are welcomed into that. But if someone upsets that long-standing dynamic it can create bad feeling.
“Despite this everyone on the show also felt huge sympathy for Nigel having to leave the competition under such difficult circumstances,” the insider told The Sun.
