Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn has withdrawn from the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing due to medical reasons, just days after being announced as the final celebrity contestant. The 49-year-old Northern Irish actor revealed he had been dealing with stress and grief that manifested physically, affecting his vital signs.
Lewis Cope from Emmerdale was announced as Kristian's replacement on BBC's The One Show on Thursday night. The actor, known for playing Nicky Milligan in the ITV soap, was nominated for Rising Star at the 2023 National Television Awards.
Honest health disclosure
In an emotional Instagram video, Kristian explained his decision to prioritise his wellbeing. "I've been dealing with a high level of stress, and a little bit of grief if I'm going to be really real," he said. "For the first time, it's manifested physically. And it's caused a spike in my vitals, it's sort of in an area of concern."
The actor, best known for playing Hodor in HBO's global phenomenon, emphasised he was receiving treatment and expected to recover within two to three weeks. He had been medically cleared for the show just two weeks prior, but his condition developed suddenly.
Physical demands prove challenging
According to Edinburgh Live, a BBC insider revealed that physical challenges during group rehearsals were "a real shock to the system" for some contestants. Kristian acknowledged he didn't have time for the intensive training required and didn't want to leave fellow contestants "hanging."
He expressed particular disappointment about representing Northern Ireland on the show. "I was so excited for this, but not only for myself, but for the people, the amazing people from my home of Northern Ireland," he said.
Replacement brings fresh hope
Lewis Cope's late entry has sparked excitement among fans, with WalesOnline and Manchester Evening News reporting parallels to Kelvin Fletcher's 2019 last-minute replacement story. Fletcher joined Strictly as a substitute and went on to win the series, creating optimism about Cope's potential success.
The Emmerdale star brings significant acting experience and has already expressed enthusiasm about joining the Strictly family for the 2025 series.
Sources used: "Belfast Live", "Edinburgh Live", "WalesOnline", "Manchester Evening News"
Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
