Nick Knowles, known for presenting BBC shows like DIY SOS, Break the Safe, and Home Is Where the Art Is, has announced he will step away from television to care for his wife, Katie Dadzie, following a severe health emergency. The 63-year-old presenter revealed that Katie, 36, required emergency surgery after her cervix ruptured following a hysterectomy, just weeks after their wedding in June 2025.
Emergency Surgery After Hysterectomy Complications
Katie, a lingerie entrepreneur, underwent a hysterectomy last summer after suffering from polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, and adenomyosis. However, 12 weeks into her recovery, the stitches in her cervix ruptured, causing severe abdominal pain and internal bleeding. She was rushed to hospital, where doctors performed emergency surgery. Nick 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."
Katie's Ordeal: 'The Most Terrifying Day'
Katie described the experience as "the most terrifying day I've ever had." She shared images from her hospital bed and explained, "The bit where they took my cervix and sealed it up ruptured, which basically meant my insides went rogue, with crippling abdominal pains, difficulty breathing, incredibly painful gas, blood like Moses parting the Red Sea, fluid, and even my bowel where it definitely didn't belong." She added that the pain was so intense she couldn't move or walk, crying on her kitchen floor from 2 to 5:30 am. Doctors had three surgical plans, two of which were major, including the possibility of open surgery and a lumbar puncture.
Nick's Decision to 'Disappear' from Screens
Nick, who also impressed fans with his injury-plagued stint on Strictly Come Dancing in 2024, said he needs to "disappear for a while" to focus on Katie's recovery. "I will disappear for a while because I'll be looking after her," he stated. "I'm always worried [about her], but she's a warrior and a fighter, so I know she'll be fine." The couple married at Braxted Park Estate in Essex in June 2025.
Ongoing Health Challenges
Katie's hysterectomy triggered early menopause, leaving her fatigued, but she had been coping until the rupture. She admitted to working the day after the initial surgery, which may have hindered her recovery. Now, with another major operation ahead, Nick is determined to be by her side, stepping back from his busy TV schedule to provide care and support.
