Strictly Come Dancing star Nigel Harman, who is best known for his role as heartthrob Dennis Rickman in EastEnders, has quit his role on BBC soap Casualty after one year

Nigel Harman has left Casualty after a year in the role. The actor, who plays Dr Max Cristie, confirmed he has filmed his last scenes and wouldn’t be returning after they air in February.

He said: “My time on Casualty is done for the time being. I’m on screen until February and there are no plans for me to come back at the moment.”

Nigel, 50, burst onto the scene in 2003, playing EastEnders heartthrob Dennis Rickman.

During his time in Albert Square he married his adopted sister Sharon, played by Letitia Dean, and was then killed off in 2006 when he was stabbed on New Year’s Day, dying in Sharon’s arms.

He later went on to star in Downton Abbey as evil valet Mr Green who was at the centre of a violent rape scene involving lady’s maid Anna, played by Joanne Froggart. But Nigel admits he is finding it harder to appear on TV as himself for Strictly than starring in his challenging roles.

Nigel has quit his role in Casualty (Image: BBC/Alistair Heap)

Nigel shot to fame as Dennis Rickman in EastEnders (Image: BBC)

Nigel, who is wed to wife Lucy Leimann, added: “I’ve spent my whole life walking onstage being someone else. I’ve always had a slight issue walking on stage being myself. It’s a complicated scenario – nervousness and self consciousness. I can’t wait to feel more confident.” The actor’s exit is likely to cause disappointment for Casualty fans as a source told the Daily Star: “Nigel is so popular – getting him on board was such a coup.

“A lot of viewers have been tuning in just to see him,“ they said. “This news will be heartbreaking for a lot of viewers.“

Nigel was confirmed as part of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up last month. The news was revealed by Christine Lampard on ITV’s Lorraine on Thursday with the Casualty actor joining he presenter in the studio.

The actor 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!“ Speaking about joining the line-up with Christine, Nigel admitted: “In my mind I think I’m a better dancer than my body is telling me.“

On being critiqued by judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke and Oti Mabuse, he added: “I think I’m a bit in denial about that. In my mind’s eye, in my utopian little world is just this wonderful thing where I’m going to learn to dance and then I’m realising that people are going to tell me what they think about that, and people are going to vote. That freaks me out.“

The Dennis Rickman actor joins a string of celebrities in this year’s star-studded line-up including Zara McDermott, Angela Rippon, Les Dennis, Bobby Brazier and many more.