Gladiator's Nitro says he's 'bulletproof' for Strictly Come Dancing after serious injury

When Olympic sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey took part in the Strictly Christmas special last year, few viewers realised he was only just getting back to being able to walk. Having needed surgery and six weeks in bed after rupturing his kneecap during training for Gladiators last summer, the athlete was desperately wondering if he was crocked for good.

As he struggled with the realisation that both his sporting career and his time as a Gladiator for the BBC could all be over, he hit an all-time low.

“I’d been through a really tough time mentally,” the married dad-of-one admits. “For athletes, obviously, our body is our tool and I wasn't confident that I was going to be back sprinting or back to being Nitro. It put a strain on our family and put a strain on my well-being.”

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So when the offer to take part on the festive special came along, even though Harry was very restricted in what he was able to do, he says it was the perfect distraction.

“We configured a plan for me to work my way around the dance floor, and I'm so thankful for that opportunity because it gave me something to smile about,” he says now.

Slowly but surely he has made a full recovery from the “freak accident” injury and the next series of Gladiators has been recorded with the fearsome Nitro back on board. Now Harry is so happy be fit again he could burst, which is why he immediately said yes when he was invited to take part in the full series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Unlike others from previous seasons, he is absolutely determined to enjoy every moment. “With some past contestants, they talk about not really remembering the enjoyment factor - sometimes they get too caught up in the competition, and that's something that I'm not going to allow,” he says firmly. “I’m on holiday! I'm not sprinting, I'm not Gladiating. I've not got anyone trying to hit me with a pugil stick. I haven't got to race Usain Bolt.

“I'm just here enjoying myself, learning how to dance - which is something my family love to do - and I'm being taught by one of the best people in the world. I'm really, really fortunate and I just want to make sure I smile through it.”

Despite being used to the adrenaline rush and nerves before a big race, Harry confesses he has the jitters ahead of the live shows, which start on September 27. “My big fear is not enjoying it,” he explains. “Not going out with a smile on my face and embracing it but being caught up in with the nerves of it all. The judges are amazing and I hope that I can make them smile.”

The 37-year-old, who has daughter Aubreé-Isla, five, with wife Lauren, says he’s wanted to take part in the show for 20 years since admiring fellow athleteColin Jackson do well back in 2005.

“My agent actually managed Colin, and I remember walking through the office and seeing this amazing photo of him in tails - he’d just jumped and done a massive straddle in the air,” he says. “My agent turned to me and said, ‘Yeah, don't worry kid, that could be you someday.’ And I just recognised that you could be more than just an athlete, and you don't just have to wear Lycra your whole life. You don't have to just be pigeonholed into this one thing.

“That was just a point for me when I sort of fell in love with Strictly and was just like, ‘Yeah, that's something that I'd really like to do.’”

Prior to his injury in 2024, Harry had started the sprinting season on a high. “I ran 10:17 at 35, which was my fastest ever season opener,” he says. “So I was actually on track to make the Olympics, the relay team, if I was to pursue it. I was ranked UK number one for six weeks. I mean, it would've been tough, but I was in with a shout.”

In the end, he’d pretty much already decided to stick with Gladiators, but then he was denied the chance to do either. “You go through hard moments, but you smile at the end of it, because there's always a silver lining,” he explains.

When he had to miss the entire second series of the BBC1 reboot, that silver lining came in the form of his CBBC show Epic Pranks, which proved popular with kids and is returning for a second run.

The children who watch it, and who enjoy him on Gladiators, could prove rather useful over the coming weeks when it comes to the Strictly voting. “I have got that little relationship with the younger audience,” he says. “Gladiators is a kid show that adults are quite happy to watch, but Strictly is an adult show that kids can watch. So if they're allowed up past their bedtime and if they're allowed to have a sway on the vote, then maybe I might have a little secret weapon,” he chuckles,

Training with his professional partner, whose identity will be revealed on Saturday night’s launch episode, is going well. "My pro is amazing. I've got a super experienced pro and I'm really pleased with the energy we've got between us.” He says he fully intends to be the model student. “I just want to be told what to do and I want feedback.”

In terms of natural skill he reckons he’s not bad. “I’m a groover. I'm a good time guy. I hear a beat, I can't sit still. Me and my daughter, we love music and that's a massive thing in our household.”

Surprisingly, given his natural competitiveness as a lifelong sportsman, Harry claims his eye isn’t really on the glitterball trophy.

“I'd love to stay in the process for as long as possible because who wouldn't want to go all the way?” he admits. “But I’m not going to be the most popular person, because there's bigger personalities in there and there's going to be people with real talent and skill. I think the stats would go against me in a few ways.”

He reasons: “I’m here to enjoy myself and to inspire my daughter, most importantly.”

And is he concerned that he might hurt himself all over again? Not at all. "I’ve conditioned myself, I’ve trained, I’ve been able to do everything well,” he declares. “I’m bullet proof.”

- Strictly Come Dancing returns tomorrow aat 6.40pm on BBC1/BBCiPlayer

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