Game of Thrones star withdraws from Strictly on medical grounds
4 hours agoIan YoungsCulture reporter
BBCGame of Thrones actor Kristian Nairn has pulled out of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, just days after the line-up was announced, saying he’s been struggling with “a high level of stress and a little bit of grief”.
Nairn, 49, is best known for playing Hodor – the guileless servant of House Stark – in HBO’s fantasy drama.
He told his Instagram followers that after the line-up announcement last week, his problems had “manifested physically” for the first time and had caused “a spike in my vitals as an area of concern”.
Actor Lewis Cope, best known for playing Nicky Milligan in ITV’s Emmerdale, will replace Nairn on this year’s show.
“I’m so excited to be swapping the Dales for the dance floor and joining this year’s Strictly Come Dancing. I’ve always been a fan of the show and cannot wait to get started!” Cope said in a statement.
Cope has also appeared in TV shows Vera, Mrs Sidhu Investigates and Hetty Feather.
He also played the lead role of Leonard Vole in the Olivier-nominated play, Agatha Christie’s Witness for the Prosecution.
Cope said he learned about the news of his late call-up while he was walking down Oxford Street in London with a friend.
“I got the phone call, and it was like, right we have to do it,” he said while appearing on the BBC’s The One Show on Thursday.
“If anything, [joining the show late] has helped me because I haven’t really had time to think about it or anything, so the excitement has taken over and I’m all in.”
Medical check
Speaking about his withdrawal in a video on Instagram on Thursday, Nairn said: “I’ve been given a wonderful opportunity to be part of the Strictly Come Dancing family, as you may know.”
“Sadly, I’m having to withdraw from this year’s show. There’s been such a response, I definitely want to share why. 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.
“I’ve always been my mother’s son and I’ve always powered through things like this in the past. I think I’ve got a pretty healthy attitude towards stuff like this. Well, I thought I did, at least.
“But for the first time it’s manifested physically and has caused a spike in my vitals as sort of an area of concern.”
Nairn is also known for playing Wee John Feeney in the US TV period comedy drama Our Flag Means Death, and is a house music DJ.
Last Friday, the 6ft 10in Northern Irishman became the 15th and final contestant to be unveiled for this year’s Strictly.
Speaking on Thursday, he continued: “I am a big guy, always have been, ever since I set foot on this Earth, so I take my health very seriously, and I do see my doctor all the time, and I was checked for the show two weeks before [the announcement] and everything was fine, so he was happy for me to take part.
“Please know I’m OK. I’m under treatment already, and my doctor isn’t concerned. After two, maybe three weeks, I’ll be pretty much back to normal, but sadly… it’s not going to be in time for all the training and everything like that.”
He added: “I’m gutted. I was really looking forward to taking part in this.”
‘Taking it easy’
Nairn went on to say he had been “100% supported” by producers and others on the show.
“I’m going to be taking it easy for now, and I’ll be able to return to work very shortly.”
He added: “We live in strange, crazy times at the moment. So without being preachy, please look after yourself. Don’t ignore what’s going on inside your head.
“This is something I haven’t dealt with before, so this has really come as a surprise for me. I always thought I had this.”
He asked people not to worry about him, saying: “I’ve totally got this.”
When his participation was announced last Friday, he said taking part in the dance contest would be “a huge challenge for me physically, but I’m ready to rise to it.”
In a statement from the BBC on Thursday, his withdrawal was put down to “unexpected medical reasons”.
The show’s executive producer Sarah James said: “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.”
The show, produced by BBC Studios, will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer for its new series this September.