After topping the Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard last week, Nigel Harman and Katya Jones were back with a romantic routine.
And as they danced the Viennese Waltz under the glitterball to Until I Found You by Stephen Sanchez, fans at home were left swooning.
Viewers branded the actor, 50, ‘sex on legs’ following the 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 as 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’ as they still scored 27 points out of 40.
Swoon: After topping the Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard last week, Nigel Harman and Katya Jones were back with a romantic routine
Sultry: As they danced the Viennese Waltz under the glitterball to Until I Found You by Stephen Sanchez, fans at home were left swooning
Sharing their thoughts on Twitter/X during the show, one fan posted: ‘Nigel Harman is sex on legs!’
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.
The actor was proclaimed by judge Shirley 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.
Romantic: Viewers branded the actor ‘sex on legs’ following the performance, claiming he looks ‘just as good’ as he did when he appeared on EastEnders 20 years ago
Sharing their thoughts on Twitter/X during the show, one fan posted: ‘Nigel Harman is sex on legs!’
‘That was the dance of the night,’ proclaimed Craig Revel Horwood while Motsi Mabuse added: ‘This at the end of the night was spectacular, amazing.’
Anton Du Beke also praised the actor and reminded the audience it’s not easy for the star who has to close the show.
Viewers took to X/Twitter to praise Nigel for his performance with one writing: ‘Nigel was amazing! I could just watch that Paso over and over again.’
Another added: ‘That was extraordinary. Nigel Harman’s performance was amazing. Katya Jones is an incredible choreographer.’
A third wrote: ‘Nigel needs to be in the final right now,’ while a fourth said: ‘Top of the leaderboard and definitely worth the wait.’
Another viewer added: ‘I wasn’t expecting that! Brilliant!’
While he is tipped to be the pin-up of the series, Nigel, who attended £24,000-a-year Dulwich College, is unlikely to fall victim of the show’s much discussed ‘Strictly curse’.
He is happily married to actress Lucy Liemann, 49, who has starred in The Bill and Agatha Christie’s Poirot, as well as in the third Jason Bourne film, The Bourne Ultimatum.
Nigel was the centre of a controversial Downton Abbey storyline, in 2013, where his character was seen hitting lady’s maid Anna – played by Joanne Froggatt – in the face and dragging her into a room in a violent rape scene.
But earlier this year, Nigel returned to the BBC, joining the cast of Casualty, where he plays charming clinical lead doctor Max Christie.
Contender: Nigel emerged as an early favourite to win Strictly Come Dancing as he topped the leaderboard during week one
Success: 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
Among many stage credits Nigel has performed in Guys and Dolls in London’s West End and Shrek the Musical, which he then went on to direct for the UK tour.
His film work includes roles in Blood Diamond, Telstar, and The Outsiders for ITV.
After he was confirmed as a contesntat, Nigel said: ‘I’m amazed, excited, and terrified to be doing Strictly.
‘As an armchair fan of the show I have watched in awe as people have twirled and gyrated across the screen. And now it’s my turn…..gulp!’
Strictly Come Dancing 2023: Who are the couples?
Nigel Harman and Katya Jones
Bobby Brazier and Diane Buswell
Annabel Croft and Johannes Radebe
Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima
Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice
Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington
Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Lauren Oakley
Angela Scanlon and Carlos Gu
Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola
Adam Thomas and Luba Mushtuk
Jody Cundy and Jowita Przystał
Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin
Nikita Kanda and Gorka Marquez
Les Dennis and Nancy Xu
Eddie Kadi and Karen Hauer
