Strictly fans left FUMING after Nick Knowles is given free pass to next week's show after pulling out due to ANOTHER injury branding it 'unfair' - as the DIY SOS star breaks his silence

Strictly Come Dancing fans have been left fuming after Nick Knowles was given a free pass to next week’s show after he pulled out due to injury, branding the decision ‘unfair’.

The DIY SOS star, 62, will miss out on Movie Week just a week after his future on the show was thrown into doubt due to a shoulder problem, before it was reported he fell and injured his knee during rehearsals, leaving him on crutches.

BBC bosses confirmed in a statement that ‘as per the show’s rules’ Nick and partner Luba Mushtuk would be given a ‘bye through’ to next week, however fans were left furious at the thought of another couple being voted off on Sunday.

Taking to Instagram they wrote: ‘I say..he should quit now…it’s not fair on any of the others’: ‘I think if they can’t dance due to injury they should pull out’.

‘Looks like #NickKnowles will NOT be dancing on this weekend #Strictly. As per normal with the rules – they will be given a free pass for next Saturday. Do I like these rules? No, I’ve always said, if you miss a week – you should automatically be off the show’.

Strictly Come Dancing fans have been left fuming after Nick Knowles was given a free pass to next week’s show after he pulled out due to injury, branding the decision ‘unfair’.

The DIY SOS star will miss out on Movie Week just a week after his future on the show was thrown into doubt due to a shoulder problem, before it was reported he fell and injured his knee during rehearsals, leaving him on crutches (pictured last week)

‘Surely then no one should go home as it’s unfair that someone goes home this week when someone gets a free pass due to injury as this happens most years’: ‘If he doesn’t come back, that’s 3 person final, if we lose someone this week. As its early, let them all stay. Who knows what other injuries we will get’.

Meanwhile other fans demanded Olympian Tom Dean, who waltz off the show last week in a decision branded ‘bizarre and wrong’, to return in Nick’s place.

Saying: ‘Bring back Tom!’: ‘Bring back Tom then to take his place after he was disgracefully and wrongly evicted last week!’: ‘Maybe we should get @tomdean00 back to do another week’.

Nick later broke his silence and took to social media sharing a snap of the BBC’s statement and wrote: ‘I’m absolutely gutted and feeling very very sad’.

The BBC’s statement read: ‘Nick Knowles has a bye to next week due to injury hope he is better for next weekend but they will still send someone home this weekend which isn’t fair I think if someone has a bye to next week they should let all the celebrities have a second chance next week’

A source also told The Sun: ‘Nick won’t be able to take part in Strictly tomorrow night after hurting his knee. He was in a dress rehearsal and with his partner Luba Mushtuk when he did a jump and landed awkwardly.

‘Nick has hurt his knee and is having to use crutches to get around now. It is such a devastating blow for him and he is being supported by the Strictly team.

‘They are sending him for scans and are doing everything they can to make sure he is okay. Nick had to fight to make sure he could take part in the first live show after hurting his arm and shoulder and he did so well.

Fans took to social media so slam the show’s ‘unfair’ decision

Nick later broke his silence and took to social media sharing a snap of the BBC’s statement and wrote: ‘I’m absolutely gutted and feeling very very sad’

‘This new injury has been a real blow and he is incredibly upset about it.’

This is far from the first time Strictly stars have battled nasty injuries during their time on the show, with Zara McDermott suffering a nasty leg fracture last year, but she decided to plough on and perform.

Just last week, Nick was left sweating over his place after sustaining the injury while changing a tyre when his car broke down as he drove to his 62nd birthday last week.

Taking to Instagram Nick said: ‘On my way to the studios, this is show day. I’ve had the two days to learn the dance as well as I possibly can’

‘I promise to give it everything tonight and try and perform it well, [pro partner] Luba [Mushtuk] has worked her magic in choreographing something amazing’.

‘All I have to do now is perform it, It’s been a tough week but I’m very excited to dance later this evening and don’t worry about me, shoulder getting stronger every single day’.

‘Thank you for all your wishes of support and all the love that’s been sent and remember, I’m in the bottom four because of last week. If I don’t dance well tonight I could be in trouble so please vote to keep me and Luba in the competition!’.

Nick was given the green light from show bosses, a decision strengthened by his popularity among viewers, and returned to dance in week two, when he scored 21 points out of 40.

A source told The Mirror: ‘Nick and Luba’s attitude is very much that the show must go on, and they were thrilled when he was given the go ahead. They are even going to attempt a lift.

Meanwhile other fans demanded Olympian Tom Dean, who waltz off the show last week in a decision branded ‘bizarre and wrong’, to return in Nick’s place

Saying: ‘Bring back Tom!’: ‘Bring back Tom then to take his place after he was disgracefully and wrongly evicted last week!’: ‘Maybe we should get @tomdean00 back to do another week’

Luba has told Nick that the move she was planning for the routine can be made safe for him – so as it stands they are still going to perform that. Nick is fully on board because the last thing he wants is the sympathy vote.

‘Now that he’s been told he can perform this week he is determined to come out all guns blazing and give the routine everything he’s got.

‘He and Luba are now rehearsing at Elstree to help them to make up the time they have lost this week.’

Former Strictly professional Janette Manrara also confirmed the presenter would be staying with the show while presenting Thursday’s instalment of It Takes Two.

Nick’s left arm was placed in a sling after the injury and he has been waiting to see if he is able to dance.

Just last week, Nick was left sweating over his place after sustaining the injury while changing a tyre when his car broke down as he drove to his 62nd birthday last week

Nick was given the green light from show bosses, a decision strengthened by his popularity among viewers, and returned to dance in week two, when he scored 21 points out of 40 (pictured last week)

The TV star then shared an Instagram video, revealing that his recovery is going well and a final decision will be made soon on whether he will be able to dance on Saturday’s live show.

‘So bit of an update for you. I’ve just got out of soaking in the bath after a day’s training which went very, very well’ Nick told his followers.

‘Shoulder is repairing very well. I saw a great physio today as well, that’s helped enormously.’

He revealed that producers and his team of medics will decide on Thursday whether he would dance at the weekend.

‘So I get another day’s training tomorrow. The decision will be made tomorrow afternoon whether I can actually compete on Saturday,’ Nick explained, adding he was feeling hopeful.

‘I’m doing my level best to get there. Keeping my fingers crossed. So hopefully I’ll see you Saturday.’

Earlier on Wednesday, Nick revealed he was on his way to the training studio to meet partner Luba to see what, if anything, he was able to do – and hopefully get the go ahead to dance.

‘It’s a big day for me really,’ he told fans in a video. ‘I’m really, really hoping that we find out that I can dance on Saturday.’

Sharing the video of him walking to the dance studio, Nick said: ‘Good morning everyone. Well it’s been an interesting few days I can tell you that. A lot to think about, seen a lot of people. I’ve got loads of people trying to make everything work.

‘I’m feeling good, arms in a sling still to make sure that it’s rested when I’m not using it but today I’m going to try and dance to see what my capabilities are.

‘Luba is trying to prepare a dance that will work for me. ‘

He added: I’d really like to stay part of the competition, so keep your fingers crossed for me.’