The former EastEnders actor, 50, had been due to perform a Charleston to Step In Time from Disney's Mary Poppins with his partner Katya Jones in musicals week on Saturday night

Strictly Come Dancing has just entered week 11 and until now, the judges were yet to award any couple a perfect score.

Harman's exit was announced just hours before tonight's live show.

Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola were last week accused of getting closer together in order to win votes on Strictly Come Dancing, but sources close to the pair say the romance is real

Nigel Harman had joked that he had St John's Ambulance 'on standby' before quitting Strictly Come Dancing over an injury that had left him unable to continue in the BBC reality series

The Musicals week special was without one couple after Nigel Harman was forced to withdraw from the competition through injury

BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans were impressed by Annabel Croft and Johannes's 'stunning' foxtrot to Defying Gravity from the musical Wicked.

Nigel Harman was forced to quit the BBC dance competition due to an injury and the former EastEnders star has now addressed the shock news about his early exit for the first time

Strictly Come Dancing star Nigel Harman had to withdraw from the competition despite being in touching distance of the grand finale.

This weekend's show will not run as normal

Nigel Harman's departure from Strictly Come Dancing comes after the former EastEnders star sustained an injury

Former EastEnders actor Nigel Harman has pulled out of Strictly Come Dancing hours before Saturday's live show is set to kick off – with partner Katya Jones left 'disappointed'

Strictly Come Dancing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman said they were 'devastated' as they spoke of Nigel Harman's shock exit from the show at the start of Saturday's live show.

The actor has been forced to withdraw from the BBC One dance contest alongside professional dance partner Katya Jones

Former EastEnders actor Nigel Harman has pulled out of Strictly Come Dancing hours before Saturday's live show is set to kick off – with partner Katya Jones left 'disappointed'

The actor was due to take part in Saturday night's Musicals week alongside professional dance partner Katya Jones right up until the eleventh hour.

Viewers were immediately confused as Musicals Week got underway

No-one will leave the competition tonight following the EastEnders star's departure