Nick Knowles, the long-standing presenter of BBC's DIY SOS, has revealed that his appearance on Strictly Come Dancing "didn't work out well for me" and announced he intends to "disappear" from television to care for his wife, Katie Dadzie, who requires urgent surgery.
Strictly Come Dancing Struggles
The 63-year-old presenter competed on the BBC's flagship dance show in 2024 alongside professional dancer Luba Mushtuk. However, his journey was marred by a series of injuries. In the second week, he injured his arm and shoulder while changing a flat tyre. Shortly after, he tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during rehearsals for week three. Despite receiving a bye that week, he returned for week four but was voted out while visibly struggling.
Speaking to Heat magazine, Knowles said: "Strictly didn't work out particularly well for me because I damaged my knee. And it's taken me two years to come back from that." He missed the grand final, which was won by blind comedian Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell, as he recovered from two intensive surgeries to reattach his bicep and reconstruct his ACL.
Taking Time Off for Family
Knowles announced his decision to step back from television after his wife, Katie Dadzie, a 36-year-old lingerie businesswoman, was hospitalised with a ruptured cervix following a hysterectomy. The couple married in June 2025 at Braxted Park Estate in Essex. Katie has now been told she requires another significant operation.
Knowles told the Daily Mail's Richard Eden: "I've been looking after my wife a lot because she has been through it. She's had a lot of tough times. She's got another operation coming up. I will disappear for a while because I'll be looking after her. I'm always worried (about her) but she's a warrior and a fighter, so I know she'll be fine."
Health Challenges and Recovery
Katie had a hysterectomy last summer after suffering for years with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and adenomyosis. Twelve weeks into her recovery, the stitches in her cervix ruptured, causing severe abdominal pain. Knowles admitted that his break from DIY SOS has allowed him "to have more space for my wife."
He added: "We've only been married a year, so spending more time together has been great."
Career Highlights
Knowles has been a staple of British television for nearly three decades, with DIY SOS running on the BBC for 27 years. He also hosts the game show Who Dares Wins and has appeared on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! as well as Strictly. Despite his reality TV appearances, he said he has no plans to return to such shows, citing his Strictly experience.
