Nigel Harman had a row with his wife in front of shocked Strictly Come Dancing audience members as she tried to calm him down after he received disappointing scores from the judges, MailOnline can reveal.
The former EastEnders star, who was forced to quit the BBC1 show on Saturday due to injury, is alleged to have upset his wife Lucy Liemann, 50, to such an extent during the Blackpool show last month his dance partner Katya Jones was seen consoling her after Nigel stormed off set.
The 50-year-old actor also irked judges with his reactions to his scores, as Anton De Beke and Shirley Ballas were caught “rolling their eyes” off camera after seeing Nigel show his obvious grievances to their marks.
The row with his wife comes after it was revealed the Strictly cast and crew were quietly relieved he’s no longer competing because they were becoming fed up with his behaviour.
A Blackpool audience member told MailOnline: ‘Nigel was super pumped up for the show, unlike the other celebrities they all interacted with fans as they took to their seats off camera after being introduced, but he was just in the zone, he ignored people saying hello to him.
Nigel Harman had a row with wife Lucy Liemann in front of shocked Strictly Come Dancing audience members after he received disappointing scores, MailOnline can reveal
Disappointed: The actor and his dance partner Katya Jones ‘ routine to Duke Ellington’s It Don’t Mean A Thing left them second from bottom of the leaderboard, with a score of 31 points
‘And it all kicked off when he got his scores from the judges. When the cameras stopped rolling he stormed back to his seat and beckoned his wife over. You could tell she knew what was coming.
‘She tried to pacify him but he didn’t work and he took his disappointment out on her.
‘After he walked off, Katya then tried to console her. She was visibly upset.’
Nigel wasn’t shy in showing his frustration at the judges scoring throughout the series, when he believed their marks were too low, and the judges appeared to lose patience at Blackpool.
He and Katya received 31 out of 40 for their routine to Duke Ellington’s It Don’t Mean A Thing which left them second from bottom of the judges’ leaderboard.
The audience member added: ‘Anton and Shirley were like ‘here we go again’ as Nigel looked offended by their scoring. They just rolled their eyes knowing another tantrum was on its way.
‘Nigel appears very nice on camera but he can switch it on and off when it wants. He’s clearly a very driven and competitive guy but you could tell his diva antics made other people feel uncomfortable.’
MailOnline have contacted Nigel’s representatives for comment.
Nigel was filmed storming off the dancefloor after receiving a disappointing score for his performance in Blackpool
In a video shared to social media, Nigel is seen swiftly exiting the dancefloor, just seconds after the BBC cameras stopped shooting
Nigel’s wife (centre) has been a regular visitor to Elstree during his time on the BBC show
The row with his wife comes after it was revealed the Strictly cast and crew were quietly relieved he’s no longer competing because they were becoming fed up with his behaviour
The former Casualty star appeared on Saturday’s show looking dejected after a rib injury sustained in training forced him to quit the series.
He told how he was about to be “caught by some very handsome men” but landed awkwardly, hurting his rib.
Asked by host Claudia Winkleman if he had enjoyed his time on the show, Nigel said: ‘Oh I’ve loved it, I’ve loved it. This hasn’t really sunk in.
‘When I was watching everyone coming down the stairs, it was real that I’m not part of it anymore.’
Katya was full of praise for Nigel’s hard work on the show and looked emotional at the thought of them no longer getting to perform together.
She said: ‘I have absolutely loved every moment of us creating magic on the dancefloor.
‘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’ve got something out of this that you will cherish forever in your broken rib.’
The former Casualty star appeared on Saturday’s show looking dejected after a rib injury sustained in training forced him to quit the series
He and Katya were due to perform a Charleston to Step in Time from Mary Poppins as part of the programme’s musicals week (pictured performing together on November 11)
Nigel replied: ‘The only reason I’m standing here is because of all the work you’ve put in. You challenge me, you push me, you support me. Most of all, you’re just part of me now.’ Becoming emotional, he 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.
The Sun revealed Nigel’s “backstage mood swings” has become a feature on Strictly, never more so at Blackpool.
But a show insider said: ‘The crew and pros on the show are like a close family and the celebrities are welcomed into that. But if someone upsets that long-standing dynamic it can create bad feeling.
‘Despite this everyone on the show also felt huge sympathy for Nigel having to leave the competition under such difficult circumstances.’
In response to the claims, a BBC source hit back by saying: ‘It is always sad when a contestant leaves the show, particularly when an injury is sustained.
‘Nigel will be well missed by those who have worked alongside him on the show and everyone wishes him the very best and looks forward to seeing him at the final on Saturday 16th December.’
Nigel’s shock withdrawal meant rivals Bobby Brazier, Annabel Croft, Ellie Leach and Layton Williams received a bye into this weekend’s semi-final.
Coronation Street star Ellie and partner Vito Coppola are the bookies’ favourites to lift the Glitterball.
