Nick Knowles, the long-time presenter of BBC's DIY SOS, has admitted that his appearance on Strictly Come Dancing 'didn't work out well' for him, as he revealed plans to step back from television to care for his wife, Katie Dadzie.
Strictly Injury Nightmare
The 63-year-old TV personality signed up for the BBC dance competition in 2024, partnered with professional dancer Luba Mushtuk. However, his journey was plagued by injuries. He damaged his arm and shoulder while changing a flat tyre ahead of the second week, then tore his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during rehearsals for week three. Despite a bye week, he returned for week four but was eliminated, visibly hampered by his injuries.
Speaking to Heat magazine, Knowles said: 'No. 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, while recovering from two consecutive surgeries to reattach his bicep and reconstruct his ACL.
Plans to 'Disappear' from TV
Knowles has also revealed he will 'disappear from television' after his wife, Katie Dadzie, required emergency surgery. The 36-year-old lingerie businesswoman was rushed to hospital after her cervix ruptured following a hysterectomy, just weeks after their wedding at Braxted Park Estate, Essex, in June 2025.
Katie had undergone a hysterectomy last summer after 'years of pain' from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis and adenomyosis. Twelve weeks into recovery, the stitches in her cervix ruptured, causing 'crippling abdominal pains.' She now faces another major operation, leading Knowles to prioritize her care.
He 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.'
A Staple of British TV
Knowles has been a fixture on British television for decades, with DIY SOS running for 27 years on the BBC. He also hosts game show Who Dares Wins and has appeared on I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! alongside his Strictly stint. Despite his hiatus, he acknowledged that stepping back from DIY SOS has allowed him 'to have more space for my wife.' Speaking to Heat, he added: 'We've only been married a year, so spending more time together has been great.'
