Strictly Come Dancing is going full steam ahead into the third week, but early favourites, Katya Jones and Nigel Harman look ready for a snoozefest.
As the pair prepared for their energy-filled Batman jive, photos revealed Katya catching a nap on her break just days away from performance night.
She was soaking up the sun on a bench outside their training studio with her phone balancing on her washboard abs.
The professional dancer, 34, was sporting navy blue leggings, a matching vest top and a pair of Union Jack ankle socks.
Nigel, 50, was nowhere to be seen as his dancing partner rested her eyes, but the EastEnders star appeared a few hours later when the pair had finished practising their third dance routine.
Nap time: Strictly Come Dancing is going full steam a head into the third week but early favourites, Katya Jones. who is partnered with Nigel Harman looked like she was ready for a snoozefest
Nigel, 50, was nowhere to be seen as his dancing partner rested her eyes, but the EastEnders star appeared a few hours later when the pair had finished practicing their third dance routine
Tired: The professional dancer was sporting navy blue leggings, a matching vest top and a pair of Union Jack ankle socks
The soap actor, wearing black shorts and a space grey jacket, was pictured leaving a few minutes after Katya left the studio.
Despite the pair topping the leaderboard in the first week, the early favourites slipped into a mediocre seventh place.
While the judges may have only scored the couple a mere 27 out of 40, fans at home were left swooning as they danced the Viennese Waltz under the glitterball to Until I Found You by Stephen Sanchez.
Viewers branded the actor ‘sex on legs’ following the steamy performance, claiming he looks ‘just as good’ as he did when he appeared on EastEnders 20 years ago.
However, Nigel and Katya received mixed comments from the judges. Shirley Ballas noted that it was ‘full of technical errors,’ and that they needed to concentrate on the ‘simple footwork.
Craig Revel Horwood noted the Head Judge was being ‘very picky’.
Sharing their thoughts on Twitter/X during the show, one fan posted: ‘Nigel Harman is sex on legs!’
Sunsoaked: Katya relaxed in the sun as she took a break from the intensive dance session
Chart toppers: Despite the pair topping the leaderboard in the first week, the early favourites slipped into a mediocre seventh place
Romantic: While the judges may have only scored the couple a mere 27 out of 40, fans at home were left swooning as they danced the Viennese Waltz under the glitterball to Until I Found You by Stephen Sanchez
Another echoed: ‘I think I’m developing a bit of a girly crush on Nigel Harman – he can sweep me off my feet any day (or preferably night!)’
‘How does Nigel Harman look still exactly the same as he did 20 years ago when he was in EastEnders,’ a third questioned.
Someone else agreed: ‘Blimey, Nigel Harman looking just as good as he did 20 years ago. That was incredible!’
Another joked: ‘We now just need to clone Nigel to replace men forevermore.’
Last week, Nigel emerged as an early favourite to win Strictly Come Dancing as he topped the leaderboard during the first live show.
Judge Shirley proclaimed the actor as ‘the one to beat’ after he performed an outstanding pasodoble with dance partner Katya.
The Casualty star danced to Nirvana’s Smells Like Teen Spirit and received universal praise from all four judges and received a score of 32 out of 40.
Despite a less-than-impressive score this week, Nigel has made strides elsewhere in his career.
He won Best Drama Star for his Casualty role at the 2023 Inside Soap Awards.
Katya sweetly supported him at the star-studded ceremony at Salsa! as the pals smiled and posed for snaps together.
Nigel, who is married to Lucy Liemann, 49, achieved huge success on the night as he collected the Best Drama Star trophy for his role as Dr Max Cristie on Casualty.
