BBC Strictly star Nigel Harmans family life and marriage to Hollywood A-list wife

Actor Nigel Harman has been taking the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom by storm as the competition's final is now only weeks away. But despite scoring high from the beginning of the series, Nigel was left downhearted during last Saturday's (November 18) Blackpool special.

The actor, 50, and his professional dance partner Katya Jones did a quickstep to Duke Ellington’s song It Don’t Mean A Thing, which left them second from the bottom of the leaderboard. They received a total score of 31 points out of 40.

This week Nigel and Katya will be doing the rumba to It's All Coming Back To Me Now by Celine Dion as they hope to glide into week 11 of the competition. So let's take a look at Nigel's life away from the spotlight as the former EastEnders star continues his Strictly Come Dancing journey.

BBC Strictly’s Nigel Harman puts on passionate display with Katya Jones in rehearsals

In 2003, Nigel became an instant hit with soap fans when he arrived in Albert Square as Dennis Rickman, the handsome son of Dirty Den Watts (Leslie Grantham) and the adoptive brother of Sharon Watts (Letitia Dean). The character kicked off a controversial relationship with Sharon, and despite their romance being frowned upon, the pair got married and fell pregnant with Dennis Watts Jr.

Tragically, life was cut short for Dennis, and in 2005 he was fatally stabbed leaving Shazza heartbroken, and she's never forgotten him. Talking to Inside Soap, Nigel has previously reflected on his time in EastEnders and why he decided that Dennis Rickman, should be killed off, despite being adored by soap fans.

He said: "That was part of my reasoning [to be killed off]. I had a very strong instinct that I wanted to draw a line underneath the character. I think that’s why he’s resonated for so long.

"I wasn’t aware [how popular Dennis was] at the time. People still come up to me 20 years later [and that’s when] I’ve noticed the impact that Dennis has had."

Since waving goodbye to Walford 18 years ago, the actor from South London has become a meditation expert and regularly offers fans advice and tips on how to stay mindful. Branding himself as the 'Meditating Actor', he promotes his expertise on his website including workshops, guided meditations, classes, and sports rehabilitation meditation.

Although Nigel has established a new career path, he has also continued to act and has starred in a long list of popular shows including Hotel Babylon, Downton Abbey, and Mount Pleasant. He most recently played Max Cristie in Casualty but has reportedly quit the role on the BBC medical drama after one year.

Speaking to The Daily Star, Nigel said: "My time on Casualty is done for the time being". The actor is also warning it’s unlikely he’ll ever return to the ward. He said: "There are no plans for me to go back at the moment".

Nigel has been married to his wife, Lucy Liemann, for 12 years and she's a successful actor just like her husband. Lucy has starred in popular TV shows such as The Bill, The IT Crowd, Midsomer Murders, Agatha Raisin, Moving Wallpaper, and Reggie Perrin.

However, she is probably best known for her role as Lucy in the third part of the Jason Bourne film series, The Bourne Ultimatum. Nigel and Lucy like to keep their marriage out of the spotlight for the most part, but we do know that they first met on the set of Hotel Babylon, which they both starred in.

They tied the knot in 2011, and a year later Lucy gave birth to their daughter. And, according to him, his wife and young daughter couldn't be prouder.

"My wife and daughter popped in to watch us go through our routine and they really enjoyed it. It was really lovely," he told RadioTimes.com. While Nigel's daughter is too young to come to watch Strictly in the audience, as you have to be 16 years old, Nigel's wife Lucy has been spotted in the studio audience supporting him.

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 7:30pm on BBC One.

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