Strictly’s Nigel Harman looks downcast as he departs the show’s studios for the final time after being forced to quit due to painful rib injury

Nigel Harman looked glum as he left the Strictly Come Dancing studios for the final time on Saturday evening.

The 50-year-old actor was forced to leave the show for medical reasons after being hospitalized with a rib injury just two weeks before the finale.

Nigel looked glum from the back of his taxi from Elstree studios, while his professional partner Katya Jones put on a brave face as she made a peace sign despite their late departure from the show.

It was confirmed that Nigel had left the BBC dancing competition just hours before Saturday's live show after hurting his rib during a jump.

He appeared to be clutching his ribs and making an uncomfortable face as he made the journey home.

Nigel told host Claudia Winkleman on Saturday: 'I was about to get caught by some very handsome men but when I landed I did something to my rib. I'm a little high on painkillers.'

When Claudia asked him if he enjoyed his time on the show, Nigel said: 'Oh, I enjoyed it, I enjoyed it. This doesn't really get through.

“When I saw everyone coming down the stairs, it really felt like I wasn't part of it anymore.”

Also leaving Elstree were the show's contestants for the 2023 Christmas special: Danny Cipriani, Jamie Borthwick and Tillie Amartey.

Katya praised Nigel's hard work on the show and looked emotional at the thought of them no longer performing together.

She said: “I absolutely loved every moment of us creating magic on the dance floor.

“I know the reasons he did this were for your daughter and your parents, and I know your parents will be very proud of you. I hope you find something out of this that you will cherish forever in your broken rib.”

Nigel replied: 'The only reason I'm standing here is because of all the work you've put into it. You challenge me, you push me, you support me. Most of all, you're just a part of me now.” He became emotional and added, “I can't even look at you!”

He and Katya were due to perform a Charleston to Step in Time from Mary Poppins as part of the programme's 'musicals week'.

Nigel's exit from the show comes a week after 'steamy' photos emerged of him and Katya practicing their moves for their steamy Rumba routine in a north London studio.

Sources close to the pair say they 'trained late every night' last week in a bid to stay in the competition and reach next week's semi-finals.

One said: “They have been training since last weekend, they were determined to stay in the competition.

“They started early and finished late, they knew they had a chance to win so they gave it their all. It's very sad for both of them.'

Just one day before his departure, Nigel had discussed how hard the fast Charleston had been on his body and admitted that he was very exhausted.

During an appearance on Steph's Packed Lunch on Thursday, the star said he would be “impressed” if he was still standing after the difficult routine.

Nigel's departure leaves only Ellie Leach, Bobby Brazier, Layton Williams and Annabel Croft in the competition as they compete in a bid to win the iconic glitterball trophy.

The BBC confirmed to MailOnline: 'Unfortunately Nigel has suffered an injury which means he will not be able to perform on tonight's show and has had to withdraw from Strictly.'

“We wish Nigel a speedy recovery and they will both be dearly missed by all our Strictly family,” the official Strictly Instagram account added in a post confirming his departure.

Just one day before his departure, Nigel had discussed how hard the fast Charleston had been on his body and admitted he was very exhausted, while photos from Friday also showed him in the studio rehearsing for the fast routine.

Nigel had opened up about his love of musicals during an appearance on It Takes Two on Friday and seemed in good spirits about the extravagant routine.

He told presenter Fleur East: 'I just love musicals, I love the singing and dancing and the heightened emotions of it. This week we have this stunner, it's full of showbiz.'

He added: 'There are jumps, there are porters and we fly around and I end up needing oxygen every time I do it. It's full but exciting.'

'I'm not going to lie, the Rumba was just kind of chopping around and moving my hips in a general direction with some arms was lovely, maybe a sweat drop.

'The Sint-Jans ambulance is on standby this week.'

Had Nigel stayed on the show and progressed to the next round, he would have made it to the semi-finals and hinted that he would have struggled to learn two routines in one week.

He said, 'Two dances in a week, I hear it's possible, but I'm just going to walk with it blind and pretend everything is fine!'

Nigel – who is married to Lucy Liemann – reportedly missed training on Saturday morning, while Katya was in attendance, after working 'really hard' during rehearsals to secure a place in the final.