Nick Knowles, the presenter of DIY SOS, has not watched Strictly Come Dancing since his elimination in week four of the 2024 series. The 63-year-old, who was forced to leave the BBC’s popular Saturday night show following severe knee and shoulder injuries requiring surgery, admitted he simply hasn’t felt the urge to tune back in.
Nick’s time on Strictly was cut short after a serious knee injury in week three, and despite his passion for dance and artistic roots, the injuries took a toll. Partnered with professional dancer Luba Mushtuk, Knowles recounted the challenges of competing at his age: balancing enthusiasm with the physical reality of being in his 60s.
“I come from a family of artsy people—my sisters are dancers, my brother’s a musician—so dance was always around," he explained. “But I was out playing rugby and never really pursued it. When the opportunity came to join Strictly, I thought it would be great fun. The problem was, you try to dance like a 25-year-old when you’re actually in your 60s.”
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Despite his determination, Nick acknowledged he might have performed better had he been more mindful of his age. He also revealed he doesn’t feel drawn to return to the show or similar competitions. “I’m not much for going back to stuff after I’ve done it,” he said. “I did Strictly, which was great fun. I did the jungle, which was great fun. But I don’t feel any particular urge to go back.”
Following his exit, Nick shared updates on his recovery, posting images of himself with braces and crutches and thanking fans for their support. He explained that the strict insurance from the show surprisingly didn’t cover his surgeries, and he personally bore the substantial cost of multiple operations to repair his knee and shoulder.
In a lighthearted comment about the impact of the injuries, he joked he hadn’t asked Santa for “two major operations and learning to walk stairs again,” calling it “one of the most expensive Xmas holidays ever.”
Nick has been committed to an intensive rehabilitation program featuring therapies like equine knee therapy, compression treatments, wet cupping, and cryotherapy, alongside supplements such as turmeric and collagen to aid healing. Despite the setback, he remains determined to recover fully in time for his upcoming work on DIY SOS.
An insider revealed to The Sun that Nick was devastated to have his Strictly journey cut short but proud of his efforts. With a demanding recovery and significant financial burden ahead, Nick Knowles is focusing on healing and moving forward rather than revisiting past challenges.