Gay Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn waltzing into Strictly 2025
Kristian Nairn (BBC)
Kristian Nairn (BBC)
As the Strictly Come Dancing 2025 celebs get set to put on their dancing shoes, here’s a look at Kristian Nairn, one of those who will be taking to the ballroom floor.
The 49-year-old actor was born in Lisburn, Northern Ireland.
Is Kristian Nairn gay?
Best-known as Hodor in Game of Thrones, the actor publicly discussed his sexuality during an interview on a fan site in 2014.
“When you talk about ‘the gay community,’ you are talking about my community,” he said. “I’ve never hidden my sexuality from anyone, and I’ve been waiting for someone to ask about it in an interview because it’s not something you just blurt out.
“I’ve tried to lead the questions a few times… to no avail.”
The actor has been vocal about LGBTQ+ rights in Northern Ireland. In 2019, he criticised the ban on same-sex marriage, saying: “It confuses me why we always have to be that little step behind on social issues like this.”
A year later, same-sex marriages became legal and couples were allowed to have religious ceremonies.
Nairn co-owned a gay bar in Belfast but it closed down in 2013.
What have you seen Kristian before?
Nairn’s Game of Thrones character Hodor was a servant of House Stark who worked in the stables at Winterfell.
He also played Wee John Feeney in the anarchic comedy Our Flag Means Death. The short-lived series developed a cult LGBTQ+ following thanks to its positive queer representation, and chronicled real-life pirates/fictional lovers Stede Bonnet and Edward Blackbeard Teach.
Nairn is also one of Northern Ireland’s top house DJs. He’s played alongside the likes of Steve Aoki, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, and Fatboy Slim.
When was his Strictly news announced?
The news of Nairn’s casting was revealed on Vernon Kay’s Radio 2 show, guest-hosted by Gary Davies.
The official Strictly Instagram page confirmed the news. “Winter is coming! Game of Thrones’ Hodor and DJ [Nairn] is set to star in our line-up for 2025,” a post read.
“Yes, mate,” responded one of last year’s contestants, Towie star Pete Wicks, who posted a fire emoji. Strictly head judge Shirley Ballas welcomed him with a heart emoji.
“This will be a huge challenge for me physically but I’m ready to rise to it,” said Nairn, who is only a few inches shy of 7ft tall. “It’s a surreal and wonderful opportunity to shed one of my left feet.”
Nairn will be competing against LGBTQ+ ally and YouTube star George Clarke and EastEnders favourite Balvinder Sopal. The line-up also includes RuPaul’s Drag Race UK finalist La Voix, who will become the first drag queen to compete in a full-length season of the show, Love Island winner Dani Dyer, Doctor Who star Alex Kingston, former Leeds United and Chelsea striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and ex-Olympic sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey – better-known to some as Gladiators‘ Nitro.
This year’s casting hasn’t been without controversy. The inclusion of former Apprentice candidate Thomas Skinner ruffled some feathers, given his friendship with US vice-president JD Vance who recently came under fire for sharing a social media post about the trans community.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One in the autumn.
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