NIGEL Harman's Strictly co-star Krishnan Guru-Murthy has been left devastated over his shock exit.
The Casualty actor, 50, announced just hours before today's live show that he was forced to quit due to injury.
Now his fellow BBC co-star and Channel 4 newsreader Krishnan has jumped on social media to break his silence on the "terrible" news.
He wrote on his X platform: "Terrible news. Poor Nigel and Katya - and in musicals week as well which he was so excited about. So sad for a lovely man and amazing dancer."
One fan proposed: "Can we bring you back to make up the numbers please?"
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While another disappointed fan commented: "Oh no. I'm gutted for them both. Was looking forward to his Charleston tonight. Miss you being on the show too."
TV presenter Krishnan become the seventh celebrity to be eliminated from the BBC One competition last month.
The Sun understands that instead of eliminating another couple this weekend - Ellie Leach, Annabel Croft, Layton Williams and Bobby Brazier - will all make it through to next round.
Ex-EastEnders star Nigel was due to perform a Charleston to Step in Time from Disney's Mary Poppins on tonight's BBC1 live quarter-finals.
A source said: "Nigel wasn't in training this morning, and other dancers were informed later on in the day. He and Katya were really disappointed as they were hoping to stay in the competition.
"They hadn't been in the bottom two so had a real chance of making it to the finals.
"Nigel has been training really hard and really threw himself into rehearsals."
A BBC spokesperson said: “Unfortunately Nigel has sustained a rib injury which means he is unable to perform in tonight’s show and has had to withdraw from Strictly.”
Last weekend Nigel and Katya performed the steamiest routine of the series writhing around on a bed.
The Russian pro dancer, 34, donned a silk negligee to dance the rhumba to Celine Dion's power ballad It's All Coming Back To Me Now.
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Nigel planted a kiss on her forehead during the choreography and said: "All the time through our hands we're communicating and through our bodies, you have to be totally locked on with your partner to do that.
"One of my favourite times of the weeks, is when we stand on the corner of the dancefloor and we hold hands and we walk out there together."
Their departure is the second shock exit of the series after Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice withdrew from the competition on medical grounds.
