Strictly professionals and former contestants have reacted in shock and sadness at the news Nigel Harman and Katya Jones have been forced to quit the show - hours before the quarter-final

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'

Former ‘EastEnders’ star told The Independent he’d struggled with nausea but was ‘excited’ about Charleston

As fans continue to reel from the news that Nigel Harman has withdrawn from Strictly Come Dancing, heartbroken viewers have begged the BBC to cancel this week's elimination

The actor, 50, had been due to compete with a Charleston to Step In Time from Disney’s Mary Poppins with his partner Katya Jones on Saturday night.

Strictly Come Dancing alumni Vincent Simone believes the show's judges have treated Nigel Harman and Katya Jones fairly so far this season - despite what some viewers think

A BBC spokesperson said: 'Unfortunately Nigel has sustained an injury which means he is unable to perform in tonight's show and has had to withdraw from Strictly'

The dancer, 34, and the actor, 50, were gearing up to perform a Charleston to Step in Time from Mary Poppins for the quarter finals when disaster struck.

The duo continued to fan romance rumours among fans ahead of musicals week

The BBC series has been thrown into chaos as Nigel and Katya were forced to withdraw hours before the quarter final show due to injury. Dance pros and fellow contestants have reacted with shock.

Nigel Harman has been forced to walk away from the competition

Here are the scores and leaderboard for week 11 of Strictly Come Dancing as the BBC show concludes its Musicals Special.

Former EastEnders star Nigel Harman was dealt a huge psychological blow before he was forced to quit Strictly Come Dancing just hours before the live show

News broke on Saturday hours before the latest live show that Nigel Harman had been forced to quit the competition after sustaining injury - sparking chaos behind-the-scenes and panic among fans

Strictly Come Dancing pro Katya Jones shared an exciting update just hours before her partner Nigel Harman's exit from the BBC reality series ahead of tonight's Quarter Finals was announced

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'

It comes just hours before he was due to perform on the live quarter final show.

"We wish Nigel a speedy recovery."