Nick Knowles quits Strictly movies week over second injury

Nick Knowles will miss out on Saturday's Strictly live show

Nick Knowles will miss out on Strictly Come Dancing this week. (BBC)
Nick Knowles will miss out on Strictly Come Dancing this week. (BBC)

Nick Knowles has pulled out of Strictly Come Dancing this week over a second injury.

The DIY SOS star has been competing on the BBC dance show with pro dancer Luba Mushtuk. This will come as a huge disappointment to Paddington fans as the presenter had planned a fun dance to the movie. The 62-year-old was due to dance the Charleston to Rain on the Roof from Paddington 2.

There has been plenty of support for the star on social media following the announcement. Here's what we know and what we don't know. You can watch Knowles' recent Strictly performance with his pro dancer in the video below.

We are only in week three of Strictly and Knowles has received his second injury of the series so his future on the show remains in jeopardy.

The star taped a special message to be played on Strictly spin-off It Takes Two, in which he told fans: "During our first sort of dress rehearsal today, or run through of the dance number on the stage, unfortunately I damaged my knee and it's quite painful so the physios have decided I need to go for an MRI."

Strictly's Nick Knowles has been injured twice. (BBC)
Strictly's Nick Knowles has been injured twice. (BBC)

Strictly said in a statement: "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.”

Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk on It Takes Two. (BBC screengrab)
Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk on It Takes Two. (BBC screengrab)

Read more: Strictly

There were fears Knowles would have to quit Strictly earlier this series when he got injured for the first time. Previously, the telly star injured his shoulder while changing a flat tyre on the side of the road. Many were surprised to find out that Knowles hadn't injured himself during rehearsals.

Knowles informed fans how he got injured the first time. He said on It Takes Two: "We broke down on the motorway with a flat tyre. It was raining and there were big lorries going past. So I tried to do it quickly and change the tyre quickly, and as I took the tyre off I basically damaged my bicep and damaged my arm...

Nick Knowles has his arm in a sling. (BBC screengrab)
Nick Knowles had his arm in a sling. (BBC screengrab)

"And then I went on and I was like, 'It's fine, I've hurt it but I'm OK' and then it got worse and worse and worse. I actually missed my birthday party because of being stuck on the motorway." However, luckily, Knowles was able to return to the show after being given the all clear from doctors.

He had been determined to perform on Strictly as he went to see a specialist for his shoulder in London's Harley Street at the time. This courted the attention of trolls on social media but Knowles shrugged off the drama.

The cast of Strictly Come Dancing 2024. (BBC)
The cast of Strictly Come Dancing 2024. (BBC)

But now a new injury has put a question mark over his future on Strictly. It is hoped he will make a comeback to the show the following week but this will depend on doctors' advice.

Knowles has made it clear he wants to get back to the dancefloor, saying in his message on It Takes Two: "Even if we have to glitter up the crutches, I am determined to get back and try and dance for you next week."

His pro partner Mushtuk added: "We really really hope that the knee will be better for the next week and yeah, we will be back on the dancefloor. Fingers crossed. We really hope that we will be back and see you all very soon."

Earlier this week, Knowles said being given a free pass can be considered cheating as he turned it down first time he was injured. He told Morning Live: "We were offered the chance of a bye but I felt like that would be cheating and we really should try and go for it. I spoke to the physios and once that was decided, you just throw yourself into it. The harder you work, the more confidence you gain."