DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles will not perform in Saturday’s Strictly Come Dancing live show after falling and hurting his knee during a dress rehearsal. The 62-year-old is thought to have landed awkwardly from a jump and is now relying on crutches.
Nick and his partner Luba Mushtuk, 34, were due to perform a Charleston to Rain on the Roof from Paddington 2.
A source told The Sun: “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. This new injury has been a real blow and he is incredibly upset about it.
“Luba and Nick are hoping it is just something minor and that he can recover in time for next week.”
A Strictly spokesperson added: “Unfortunately, Nick Knowles sustained an injury during rehearsals and as a result, will not dance this weekend.
“As per the rules of the competition, Nick and Luba will receive a bye through to next week when he is hopefully able to dance again. Everyone at Strictly Come Dancing wishes Nick a speedy recovery.”
Nick has been inundated with support from his Strictly co-stars. Professional dancer Jowita Przystal commented on Instagram: “Get well soon!!!! Sending all my love.”
Lauren Oakley echoed: “Get better soon,” while judge Motsi Mabuse also wrote: “Get well soon.”
It comes after Nick suffered a shoulder injury at the start of the competition whilst changing a tyre on his Range Rover.
He was put under medical supervision before being signed off by doctors to perform his American Smooth last weekend.
Nick’s fiancée Katie Dadzie, 33, has said her beau is “a shell of a man” since he began training with Luba.
The lingerie entrepreneur told Closer that Nick was “exhausted” and the training schedule was “different to what [she] suspected”.
She said: “We knew it would be hard work, but he is shattered every day when he comes back. He is near enough crawling into the house.”
Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturday at 6.15pm on BBC One.