Nick Knowles will return to Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday evening after an arm injury left his long-term future on the show hanging in the balance.
Fan favourite 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 party on Sunday.
But he has since been given the green light from show bosses, a decision strengthened by his popularity among viewers, meaning he will return with professional dancer Luba Mushtuk for week two.
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.
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.
Nick Knowles will return to Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday evening after an arm injury left his long-term future on the show hanging in the balance
Fan favourite 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 party
‘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 will 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 on Saturday.
On Wednesday night the TV star 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 will dance at the weekend.
Janette Manrara also confirmed he is staying with the show during Thursday’s instalment of It Takes Two
Nick previously gave Strictly fans an update as his arm injury continued to threaten his future in the BBC dance competition
On Wednesday night the TV star shared an Insta 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
‘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 Mushtuk to see what, if anything, he is 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.’
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 on Saturday
Earlier on Wednesday, Nick revealed he was on his way to the training studio to meet partner Luba Mushtuk to see what, if anything, he is able to do
He said: ‘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’
Strictly bosses drew up contingency plans ahead of Thursday’s announcement, fearing he might be forced to withdraw from the show.
A source told MailOnline: ‘They are all anxiously waiting to get the all clear from the medical team about Nick being able to compete this weekend, but are determined not to lose him from the show.
‘He is such a popular figure with viewers, and if he needs time to recover he will get a free pass to return the following week, all being well.’
‘If that bothers other contestants, then so be it. The bosses want him back.’
This weekend, the first celebrity contestant will be voted off the dance show.
After visiting Harley Street for an emergency MRI scan on Monday, Nick told Strictly spin-off show It Takes Two that he remained ‘really hopeful’ he could continue on the show.
He is due to dance an American Smooth to Blur’s Parklife with his professional partner Luba, providing he gets the all-clear from medics.
After visiting Harley Street for an emergency MRI scan on Monday, Knowles told Strictly spin-off show It Takes Two that he remained ‘really hopeful’ he could continue on the show
Luba joked that they’ll make Knowles’s sling ‘sparkly’ and said that he ‘still has perfect position on the right arm.’
She said the pair can work on doing ‘perfect footwork’ for the foxtrot element of the dance and will still hopefully do a lift, noting that they could ‘work around’ the injury.
Nick added: ‘Luckily I’m very big, and Luba is very light, so one-arm lifts.’
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One on Saturday at 6:15pm.