Game of Thrones actor Kristian Nairn has pulled out of this year's Strictly Come Dancing, just days after the line-up was announced, saying he's been struggling with "a high level of stress and a little bit of grief". Nairn, 49, is best known for playing Hodor - the guileless servant of House Stark - in HBO's fantasy drama.

Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn has been forced to withdraw from Strictly Come Dancing before the BBC dance show has even got underway. Nairn, who played Hodor in HBO’s fantasy franchise, has had to quit the UK’s version of Dancing With The Stars for medical reasons.

Actor and DJ Kristian Nairn announced his sudden exit from Strictly Come Dancing just a week after confirming he would be taking part as he addressed 'always being his mother's son'