“‘I CAN’T EVEN WATCH IT ANYMORE’” — Nick Knowles Reveals the Real Reason He Refuses to Tune In to Strictly Come Dancing After His Sudden Axing
Nick Knowles hasn’t watched Strictly Come Dancing since he was axed from the programme in 2024. The DIY:SOS star, 63, took part in last year’s edition of the BBC Saturday night favourite, which was eventually won by comedian Chris McCausland, but was eliminated in the fourth week of the competition.
More than a year on, the series is drawing to a close again, with contestants like West End star Amber Davies and YouTuber George Clarke currently hoping for a place in the final. They’ve already seen off competition from the likes of Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope, Geordie Shore legend Vicky Pattison, and Doctor Who actress Alex Kingston amongst a host of other.s
Nick, who danced with Luba Mushtuk, needed surgery after sustaining a nasty knee injury in week three of the competition before being eliminated in the following round. Now, he has admitted that he hasn’t kept up with any of the dancefloor drama since he left his own series in October 2024.
He said: “To be honest, I’m too busy [to watch it]. I’ve been out filming and working, and as you saw last year, I was about as mobile as a wheelie bin. So it’s not a natural environment for someone my size and shape. So no, I haven’t really been following it this year.”
The former I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! star, who also suffered a shoulder injury whilst in the competition, was then asked why he took part in the show in the first place and admitted that he comes from an artistic family to begin with, and he jumped at the chance to hit the ballroom because dance was something he hadn’t had the chance to do since childhood.
Speaking to Express, he added: “I come from a family of artsy people. My three sisters are all dancers, and my brother is a musician. So I grew up in a family that had dance around it all the time. So it’s something that I enjoy, but never really did, because I was out playing rugby and doing things like that. But when the opportunity came up, I thought, actually, that should be quite good fun. The trouble was, you get enthusiastic and the show gets you all sort of whipped up, and I’m suddenly trying to dance like a 25 year old when I’m actually in my 60s.”
The presenter, who could not reunite with his Strictly co-stars at the final because of his injury, also admitted that he might have done ‘better’ in the competition had he taken his age into consideration.
He added: “If I’d remembered that I was in my 60s I might have done a bit better. But you go at it because you want to compete and you don’t want to be that joke candidate. So you go at it really hard. But I’m not really much for going back to stuff after I’ve done it. So I did the Strictly thing. That was great fun. I did the jungle thing that was great fun whilst I was doing it. But I don’t feel any particular draw to go back or be involved.”
After leaving the competition, Nick posted pictures and videos of himself in a brace and using crutches, thanking fans for their supportive messages. He revealed that he was learning to walk up stairs again after two major operations, and disclosed that the BBC show’s insurance did not cover his surgeries despite him injuring his knee doing a jump in rehearsals.
He wrote: “Thank you for all the amazing messages. To answer a few questions . . . the brace helps keep it stable as I recover. No, Strictly insurance did not cover the operations. I paid for them myself but I’m hoping they will help with rehab.”
He also praised his then-fiancée Katie Dadzie, 34, for her unwavering support throughout his recovery. In a humorous aside, Nick joked: “In my letter to Santa, I did not have two major operations – three knee and one elbow braces, and learning to walk upstairs again – but that’s what he brought me.”
“One of the most expensive Xmas holidays ever. But determined to walk normally ready for DIY SOS in February.” In another update, Nick Knowles detailed the rigorous recovery programme for his injured knee, sharing snaps of an “equine knee therapy unit”, pressure leggings, wet cupping and a cryogenic cuff. He disclosed: “I’m taking turmeric, collagen and various other supplements to promote healing. Will try anything at this stage to get back moving normally.”
The financial toll of Nick’s knee surgery is presumed hefty, with doctors typically charging around £8,000 for such private treatments. A source close to the star told The Sun about Nick’s deep disappointment over how his injury cut short his time on Strictly, mentioning: “Nick was gutted the injury ultimately cost him his time on the show. He was determined to do as well as he could and fought through the pain barrier.”
The source also remarked: “He did himself proud, but now he faces a long and expensive road to recovery. It’s a bitter pill to swallow.”
