Nick Knowles has broken his silence after it was revealed he has been forced to drop out of Strictly Come Dancing this weekend.

The 62-year-old DIY SOS icon has been a fan favourite for the 2024 season of the BBC’s long-running dance competition – but was struck with injury at the beginning of the series’s run. Nick, who has built a career out of getting stuck into manual labour, injured his shoulder while fixing a car tyre after the opening episodes of the current 22nd season of Strictly.

There were fears he could not perform last weekend, but medics gave him the all clear hours before the second live show of the year. But now it seems the rigours of training have set the TV star back – and he now won’t be competing in the live show this weekend.

Fans may be especially disappointed to know that it is Movie Week this weekend on the BBC show – and Nick and his dance partner, Luba Mushtuk, 34, had been scheduled to dance the Charleston to the sound of Rain on the Roof; the iconic song from the Stephen Sondheim production Follies which was incorporated into the soundtrack of Paddington 2. Now viewers can only imagine what such a performance would have looked like.

Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk
Nick is partnered with Luba Mushtuk on the BBC show ( 
Image:
BBC/Ray Burmiston)

Nick Knowles with his arm in a sling
Nick injured his shoulder after the 2024 launch show and rehearsals seem to have aggravated the condition ( 
Image:
Instagram)

Breaking his silence after his absence was announced Nick wrote on X: “I’m absolutely gutted and feeling very very sad,” alongside a sad face emoji.

Earlier, he took to X and Instagram, to share a post by Strictly which confirmed he would be missing out this weekend. The post stated: “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.”

Fans were quick to wish Nick a speedy recovery, with one on X writing: “Hope you’re on the mend soon. What a shame you’re missing out on movie week.” Another typed: “So sorry to hear that! I hope you are ok! #Strictly.” And a further fan commented: “Take Care Lovely, See you back next week.”

Just hours before news broke that he wouldn’t be competing this weekend, Nick had shared his hope that he would be able to win enough points from the judges to carry him through to the next week. Interacting with fans on X, one follower messaged the star to write: “Let’s hope you get through over the weekend fingers crossed.” And Nick himself replied with a string of fingers crossed emojis.