Hopes of an Irish Strictly Come Dancing win have been dashed as actor Kristian Nairn has withdrawn from the 2025 competition before it has even started.
In a brief statement shared on Thursday, the Game of Thrones actor told fans: '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,' Kristian concluded.
A host of Strictly fans flocked to the comments section with well wishes, and words of disappointment that the Lisburn native wouldn't be performing in the upcoming series.
Pic: Getty Images
'What a shame, was looking forward to seeing you learn to dance! Hope for a quick recovery, one fan wrote, as another penned: 'Aw no! I hope he can try again next year, I was really looking forward to seeing him.'
Kristian was announced as part of the Strictly Come Dancing Class of 2025 just days ago, telling the BBC at the time: '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!'
The BBC later announced that Kristian would be replaced by another celebrity contestant, Lewis Cope, best known for his role as Nicky Mulligan in Emmerdale.
It's been reported that the actor has years of dancing experience under his belt, and, now 30 years old, has been dancing since he was 10.
Lewis has even appeared on TV for his talents (and no, not his acting talents). The actor spent eight years in dance group Ruff Diamond, who placed runners-up in the TV contest Got to Dance.
Lewis joins 14 more celebrity contestants, all vying for the coveted Glitterball trophy, on the dancefloor when the 2025 season of Strictly Come Dancing kicks off on Saturday, September 20.
