STRICTLY fans were left astounded after spotting a major Hollywood actor in the audience tonight.
Tom Hiddleston, 42, and his girlfriend Zawe Ashton, 39, looked like they were having a great time at Elstree Studios tonight.
But when the camera panned in on the couple, BBC One viewers shared their amazement on X, formerly Twitter.
One wrote, “Wow i knew tom hiddleston liked strictly but i didn’t expect him to be in the audience lol.”
Someone else added, “TOM HIDDLESTON IN THE STRICTLY AUDIENCE?? WHAT?? OMG.”
A third asked, “Am i dreaming or was that Tom Hiddleston in the #Strictly audience?!”
One more chimed in with, “TOM HIDDLESTON AND ZAWE ASHTON IN THE STRICTLY AUDIENCE?!”
It shouldn’t come as a surprise as Tom has made no secret of his Strictly obsession.
Just last Monday, he gushed about the current series on Zoe Ball‘s BBC Radio 2 show.
He said: “It’s been difficult to determine who is going to go all the way this year. I think Ellie [Leach] is maybe the most improved. She’s extraordinary, pretty amazing.”
Also in tonight’s Strictly, Nigel Harman broke his silence after he was forced to quit the show after sustaining an injury – saying he was rushed to A&E.
The Casualty actor, 50, announced just hours before today’s live show that he was forced to quit due to a rib injury.
Nigel and pro dancer Katya joined hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly and their co-stars on tonight’s programme.
Claudia told Nigel: “I know you’re sad… tell us what happened?”
Addressing his early departure, an emotional Nigel said: “I was leaping off a rostrum and was about to be caught by some handsome men, and as I flew I was Peter Pan and as I landed I was in A&E.
“I’ve done something to my rib, it’s quite painful and I’m a little bit high on painkillers but I’m having a lovely time.”
Claudia told him: “You have been so amazing the two of you, have you enjoyed it?”
He replied: “I’ve loved it and I’m loving it. It’s too soon to say loved.
“This hasn’t really sunk in, when I watched everyone come down the stairs, I was like ‘this is real, I’m not part of this anymore’ and that was quite sad.”
Glancing over at his pro partner, he continued: “I’ve been avoiding Katya all day because that makes it really real as well.”
Claudia asked: “How proud are you of Nigel and the two of you?”
Fighting back tears, Katya said: “It’s quite hard to talk right now, not going to lie.
“I’ve absolutely loved every moment of us creating magic on the dancefloor.
“I know the reasons you did this was for your daughter and your parents and especially missing out on this number, I know your parents will be very very proud of you and I hope you got something out of this that you’re going to cherish forever in your broken rib.”
Their departure is the second shock exit of the series after Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice withdrew from the competition on medical grounds.
