Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn quits Strictly Come Dancing ‘with heavy heart’

Actor and DJ Kristian Nairn – who played Hodor in Game of Thrones – has withdrawn from the new series of Strictly Come Dancing for medical reasons.

‘With a heavy heart, I have to step back from this season of Strictly Come Dancing due to unexpected medical reasons,’ he said.

‘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.’

Taking to social media, Kristain explained his situation further in a heartfelt video message.

‘This is real talk. I’m not doing the PR thing. I hate that. I always try to be pretty honest and real with you guys,’ he began.

‘I’ve been dealing with a high level of stress and a little bit of grief, if I’m honest.

‘I’ve always been my mother’s son, I’ve always powered through things like that in the past.

‘I think I’ve got a pretty healthy attitude towards stuff like this. But for the first time it’s manifested physically, it’s caused a spike in my vitals, which is an area of concern. I’m a big guy, and I have been since I set foot on this earth.

‘I saw my doctor two weeks before the show and everything was fine. He was happy for me to take part.

‘I’m okay. I’m under treatment already. My doctor isn’t concerned. After two, maybe three weeks I’ll be back to normal. Sadly I don’t have time for the show now.

‘I also don’t want to leave you and the other contestants hanging. I am gutted. I was really looking forward to taking part in this.

‘The guys in the show have been completely understanding and I’ve felt 100% supported, so I’m really grateful for that.’

He also apologised for letting anyone down, and told people to ‘not ignore what’s going on inside your head’.

Sarah James, Executive Producer, BBC Studios said: ‘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 new celebrity joining Strictly Come Dancing will be announced on tonight’s The One Show, on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from 7pm.

Kristian is best known for playing Hodor in Game of Thrones, but is also a DJ and recently played Wee John Feeney in two series of the HBO comedy Our Flag Means Death.

He was the 15th celebrity to be announced for this year’s season after former footballer Karen Carney, Lorraine’s US showbiz reporter Ross King, Neighbours star Stefan Dennis, Geordie Shore’s Vicky Pattison, The Apprentice’s Tom Skinner, model Ellie Goldstein, former England rugby player Chris Robshaw and RuPaul’s Drag Race’s La Voix were all confirmed.

Others looking to raise the glitterball trophy include YouTuber George Charle, EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal, Love Islander Dani Dyer, Doctor Who’s Alex Kingston, ex footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Olympian Harry Aikines-Aryeetey.

‘This will be a huge challenge for me physically, but I’m ready to rise to it!’ Kristian said of joining Strictly just last week.

It’s been a rocky recent road for the dancing competition, hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, after pro dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima were removed from the show (and replaced) following accusations about their behaviour.

Then came a cocaine probe by the Met Police, and a fair bit of backlash to the casting of controversial contestant Tom Skinner.

However, Strictly will be back on our screens – with judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse – in less than a month now, with kick off date a week later than usual on September 20.

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