Who is Nigel Harman on BBC Strictly Come Dancing 2023?

This weekend Strictly Come Dancing returns to our screens as 15 famous faces battle it out to win the iconic Glitterball Trophy. This year marks the 21st series of the BBC show, which will air every weekend from now (Saturday, September 16) until December.

Hosted by Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, the contest features Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas on the judging panel. Celebrities from the world of entertainment and sport will take to the dancefloor, hoping to win viewers’ votes and the approval of the judges.

Among this year’s lineup is the actor Nigel Harman, who is known for playing Dennis Rickman in EastEnders from 2003 until 2005. The 50-year-old recently returned to the BBC starring as clinical lead doctor Max Cristie in Casualty, although he won’t be returning to the soap after his final scenes air in February.

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Viewers may recognise Nigel from Downton Abbey in 2013, when his character valet Alex Green was seen physically and sexually attacking lady’s maid Anna Bates, played by Joanne Froggatt. His other film credits include roles in Blood Diamond, Telstar and The Outsiders for ITV.

As well as TV, Nigel has performed in the West End, winning an Olivier award for his role in Shrek The Musical. In 2014 he played talent show judge Simon Cowell in the West End production of Harry Hill’s comedy I Can’t Sing! The X Factor Musical. Nigel has also performed in Guys and Dolls in the West End.

On signing up to the competition, Nigel said: “I think I’m realising as time has gone on since I said yes to this, in my mind I think I’m a better dancer than my body is telling me.”

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