On what was supposed to be a routine buildup to the glitzy 2025 season of Strictly Come Dancing, fans were met with a sudden twist: Kristian Nairn, the beloved actor best known as Hodor from HBO’s Game of Thrones, announced his withdrawal from the show just days before the new series was set to launch. The announcement, made public on August 21, 2025, sent ripples through the entertainment world and left viewers wondering who would step into his dancing shoes.
In a heartfelt statement, Nairn, 49, shared, “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. Love to all, Kristian.” According to BBC and The Sun, his decision came after recent bouts of intense stress and grief manifested physically, causing a spike in his vital signs—a warning his doctor advised him not to ignore.
Nairn, who also starred as Wee John Feeney in the comedy Our Flag Means Death, elaborated further on social media. He explained, “Like so many people at the minute, I’ve been dealing with a high level of stress and a little bit of grief if I’m going to be really real… But for the first time it’s manifested physically and it’s caused a spike in my vitals, in sort of an area of concern.” He reassured his fans, “Please know I’m okay, I’m under treatment already and my doctor isn’t concerned. Maybe two or three weeks I’ll be back to normal but sadly it’s not time at moment.”
The timing of Nairn’s departure was particularly poignant. Just two weeks prior, he had been medically cleared for the show. Yet, as he candidly admitted, “I was checked for the show two weeks before and everything was fine, so [my doctor] was happy for me to take part.” However, after his health took a turn, both he and his doctor agreed that the rigorous demands of the show would not be wise at this time. “I’m not going to have time for the show – I’m not going to have time for the training. I also don’t want to leave them, you and my other contestants hanging, that’s not really fair.”
Sarah James, Executive Producer at BBC Studios, responded with warmth and empathy: “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.” Her words echoed the sentiments of fans and colleagues alike, who had looked forward to seeing the gentle giant bring his unique presence to the dance floor.
But as the saying goes, the show must go on. Mere hours after Nairn’s announcement, BBC One’s The One Show revealed his replacement: Lewis Cope, the 30-year-old actor from Hartlepool, County Durham, best known for his recent role as Nicky Milligan in Emmerdale. Cope, who played the character from December 2022 to July 2024, was nominated for the Rising Star Award at the 2023 National Television Awards, marking him as one of the soap world’s promising talents.
Cope recounted the whirlwind moment he was asked to join the series. “The programme had got in contact on Monday asking if I wanted to join this year’s series,” he shared on The One Show on August 22, 2025. “I was walking down Oxford Street on my way to meet a friend when I received the phone call.” When asked how it felt to be joining so late in the game, Cope admitted, “I think, if anything, it’s probably helped me because I haven’t really had time to think about it or anything so now the excitement has kind of just taken over. I think it’s probably better for me.”
Cope’s journey to Strictly is as eclectic as it is impressive. Before his stint in Emmerdale, he appeared in a range of television dramas, including Doctors, Vera, Miss Sidhu Investigates, and Hetty Feather. His stage credits include roles in Witness for the Prosecution and The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Notably, as a child, he graced the West End in Billy Elliot: The Musical. According to an Emmerdale fan site, Cope attended The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama from 2015 to 2018, further honing his craft.
With the 2025 lineup shaping up to be one of the show’s most diverse and star-studded yet, Cope joins a cast that already includes former Lioness Karen Carney, Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattison, Love Island’s Dani Dyer-Bowen, Doctor Who’s Alex Kingston, rugby star Chris Robshaw, and drag performer La Voix, among others. The inclusion of Ellie Goldstein, the first contestant with Down’s Syndrome, marks a significant milestone for the series, reflecting its ongoing commitment to representation and inclusivity.
For Nairn, the outpouring of support has been both comforting and overwhelming. “Thank-you all for your support, and I will be back on my feet very soon, in every sense. Love to all, Kristian,” he reiterated in his official statement. His transparency about the physical toll of stress and grief has resonated with many, opening up conversations about mental health in the high-pressure world of entertainment.
Meanwhile, the producers and cast have rallied to ensure the transition is as seamless as possible. Sarah James summed up the mood behind the scenes: “We’re incredibly sorry to lose him from this year’s series and we all wish him a speedy recovery.” As for Cope, he’s embracing the challenge with open arms, ready to swap the Yorkshire dales for the sparkle of the ballroom.
Viewers can expect the new season to kick off with its signature mix of glamour, drama, and heart. With a lineup that spans soap stars, sports legends, reality TV favorites, and trailblazers, there’s plenty for fans to look forward to—even if the road to opening night has been a little bumpier than expected.
Sometimes, the magic of live television lies in its unpredictability. For Strictly Come Dancing 2025, the stage is set for a season that promises resilience, fresh faces, and—if Lewis Cope has anything to say about it—a few surprises along the way.
