On August 21, 2025, the beloved Game of Thrones actor Kristian Nairn stunned fans by announcing his withdrawal from the upcoming season of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing, just days after the full celebrity line-up had been revealed. Nairn, best known for his role as the gentle giant Hodor in HBO’s fantasy epic, cited unexpected medical reasons for stepping back, leaving both viewers and show producers disappointed as the new series prepares to launch in September.
In a heartfelt statement shared via Instagram and official press channels, Nairn expressed deep regret about the decision. “With a heavy heart, I have to step back from this season of Strictly Come Dancing due to unexpected medical reasons. 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,” he told fans, as reported by BBC and Deadline.
Nairn, aged 49, expanded on the circumstances in a candid Instagram video. “I’m not going to beat around the bush with this, this is real talk. I’m not doing the PR thing, I hate that. I’ve been given a wonderful opportunity to become part of the Strictly Come Dancing family, but sadly I’m having to withdraw from this year’s show,” he said, as quoted by Attitude and Daily Mail. He revealed that, like many people, he had been dealing with “a high level of stress and a little grief,” which, for the first time, had “manifested physically and caused a spike in my vitals.”
Nairn assured fans that he is already under medical care and that his doctor is not concerned. “Please know I am okay, I’m under treatment already and my doctor isn’t concerned. After two, maybe three weeks, I’ll be back to normal. But sadly, I don’t have time for the show now, and I don’t want to leave anyone hanging,” he explained, according to BBC and Deadline.
He also reflected on the opportunity and his pride in representing his home region. “I was so excited for this, not only for myself but also for the amazing people from my home of Northern Ireland. It has always been my honour to show that I’m from Northern Ireland and I’m very proud. To my fellow contestants, although it was brief, I really enjoyed meeting all of you. It’s a really great bunch of people.”
Nairn, who stands at an imposing 6ft 10in, had previously shared his concerns about how his height might impact his performance on the dancefloor. “This will be a huge challenge for me physically, but I’m ready to rise to it! It’s a surreal and wonderful opportunity to shed one of my left feet!” he had told fans upon his casting, as recounted by Attitude and Daily Mail.
The news of Nairn’s withdrawal was met with disappointment by the Strictly production team. Sarah James, executive producer at BBC Studios, commented, “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.”
As for who will fill Nairn’s shoes, the BBC wasted no time in naming a replacement. During the August 21 episode of The One Show, it was revealed that Lewis Cope, known for his role as Nicky Milligan on ITV’s Emmerdale, would be joining the cast. Cope shared his excitement, saying, “I’m so excited to be swapping the Dales for the dance floor and joining this year’s Strictly Come Dancing. I’ve always been a fan of the show and cannot wait to get started!” He learned of his late call-up while walking down Oxford Street in London, and admitted the whirlwind nature of the invitation meant “the excitement has taken over and I’m all in,” as reported by the BBC.
Nairn’s withdrawal comes at a time when Strictly Come Dancing is facing its fair share of challenges. The 2025 cast features six women and nine men, with a line-up that includes Love Island winner Dani Dyer, ex-Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattison, RuPaul’s Drag Race runner-up La Voix, Gladiator Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, and Apprentice contestant Thomas Skinner—whose casting has sparked controversy due to his political views. The balance of the cast, and the inclusion of reality stars and influencers, has drawn criticism from some fans and commentators, with social media awash in debates about the show’s direction and star power. According to the Daily Mail, some longtime viewers have lamented what they see as a decline in the calibre of the cast, with one fan remarking, “The bottom of the barrel has been well and truly scraped.”
Controversy is nothing new for Strictly. In recent years, the show has grappled with allegations of inappropriate behaviour, high-profile contestant withdrawals, and a shifting landscape in celebrity culture. In 2023, actress Amanda Abbington left the show midway after accusing professional dancer Giovanni Pernice of “unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean” behaviour during rehearsals. That same year, Love Island alum Zara McDermott described her distress following a training room incident. The BBC has also investigated allegations of drug use among cast members, as reported in the Daily Mail.
Despite these difficulties, Strictly remains a beloved institution for many, with millions tuning in each year to watch celebrities don sequins and attempt everything from the cha-cha to the Viennese waltz. The show is set to return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in September 2025, with producers hoping this year’s line-up—and the addition of Lewis Cope—will recapture some of the old magic and perhaps bring new sparkle to the ballroom.
For Kristian Nairn, the journey to the dancefloor may be postponed, but his message to fans is one of resilience and gratitude. “I’m going to be taking it easy for now, and I’ll be able to return to work very shortly,” he said. “We live in strange, crazy times at the moment. So without being preachy, please look after yourself. Don’t ignore what’s going on inside your head. This is something I haven’t dealt with before, so this has really come as a surprise for me. I always thought I had this.”
Nairn’s openness about his health and stress serves as a reminder that behind the glitz and glamour of television, even the biggest stars face challenges that require stepping back and prioritizing well-being. As Strictly Come Dancing moves forward, fans and fellow contestants alike will surely be wishing Kristian a swift recovery and hoping to see him back in the spotlight soon.
