BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Nick Knowles tells fans 'don't worry about me' after 'tough week'

Strictly Come Dancing's Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk
-Credit: (Image: BBC)


Nick Knowles has told fans 'don't worry about me' after admitting he has had a 'tough week'. The DIY SOS presenter shared his 'excitement' over performing on Saturday night's live show (September 28) amid a challenging week where he suffered an injury scare.

The Strictly star had a tough break earlier in the week when he sustained a bicep injury while attempting to change a car tyre but has now received the medical go-ahead.

Sharing his thoughts on social media while en route to the studio, Nick expressed: "It's been a tough week but I'm very, very excited to dance later this evening."

READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Ellie Leach shows 'how hard she worked' in move Vito Coppola thought was 'weird'

His concern for his fans was evident as he reassured them: "And don't worry about me, shoulder is getting stronger every single day. Thank you for all your wishes of support and all the love that's been sent." He then added: "I really, really do appreciate it and will try and do my best for you."

Nick then disclosed his intensive two-day preparation on his American Smooth routine set to Blur's "Parklife," promising: "I promise to give it everything tonight and try and perform it well. Luba has worked her magic in choreographing something amazing. All I have to do now is perform it."

In the wake of the injury, Nick revealed his proactive steps taken throughout the week, including seeking expert treatment from doctors and physiotherapists, as well as wearing a sling on Monday during his feature on Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two. He also joked on the show that he was prepared to perform one-armed dance lifts with his professional partner Luba Mushtuk.

This weekend, the judges and professional dancers will perform an "avant-garde gothic tango" during the first results show of the 20th anniversary series. They will dance to Prince's When Doves Cry and New Order's Blue Monday, before the first celebrity to be eliminated is revealed.

Strictly Come Dancing contestant Nick Knowles in a baby blue suit with a red rose in his lapel
Strictly Come Dancing contestant Nick Knowles -Credit:PA Media

During Sunday night's performance, Strictly's longest-serving judge, Craig Revel Horwood, will wear a blond wig and sit on a golden throne. Fellow judge Anton Du Beke will wear a purple jacket with a gold waistcoat and white shirt, while Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse will dance in all-black outfits.

The professional dancers will wear white and black outfits as they surround the throne, for which the judges will battle. Last week professional dancer Amy Dowden topped the judges' leaderboard on her return to the series after overcoming breast cancer, alongside her celebrity partner JLS singer JB Gill.

The BBC has introduced new welfare measures for contestants, including a chaperone present "at all times" during rehearsals amid an investigation by the corporation after allegations were made about former professional dancer Giovanni Pernice by his 2023 celebrity partner Amanda Abbington. Giovanni rejects the allegations, while his fellow dancer Graziano Di Prima has also left the show after the furore.

Strictly Come Dancing will air on Saturday at 6.15pm while the first results show will broadcast on Sunday, September 29 at 7.15pm on BBC One and iPlayer.