BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans say 'it's so sad' as they spot move seconds into quarter-finals Musicals week

Strictly Come Dancing fans said they were 'so sad' just seconds into the latest live show as they spotted an unfortunate move. It was the quarter-finals of the BBC One dance contest on Saturday night (December 2) but there was drama just hours before the show was due to begin.

The Musicals week special was without one couple after Nigel Harman was forced to withdraw from the competition through injury. He and his professional dance partner had been due to perform a Charleston to Step In Time from Disney’s Mary Poppins with his partner Katya in week eleven with just weeks to go until the 2023 final

A BBC spokesperson said on Saturday afternoon: "Unfortunately Nigel has sustained an injury which means he is unable to perform in tonight’s show and has had to withdraw from Strictly." The Casualty star suffered a rib injury, the broadcaster later said.

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As they opened Saturday night's live show, host Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman welcomed the judges to the ballroom following an epic opening number from the show's group of professional dancers. They then welcomed the four remaining couples before referencing Nigel's exit.

Claudia said: "As you can see we only have four couples. Nigel has unfortunately sustained an injury which means he is unable to perform in tonight's show and has had to withdraw from the competition."

Tess added: "We are as devasted as he is but Nigel and Katya will be talking to us later in the show." Confirming how the rest of the competition will unfold, Claudia said there will be no public vote on Saturday night and the dreaded