Nick Knowles lost almost two stone in weight before Strictly by making one change to diet
After a summer rife with scandals involving former professionals Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, who departed the BBC show amidst complaints from their 2023 partners, Strictly Come Dancing has made its return to television. Now there's word on the grapevine of an extensive team of psychologists and counsellors on standby to assist in looking after the stars' well-being.
Nonetheless, it isn't just the mental health of the contestants that's being meticulously cared for; even their physical well-being is top priority. DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles, who will be competing with dance partner Luba Mushtuk, has divulged to the Daily Mail's Weekend Magazine: "Bits of me are knackered but they've already made sure I've got physio support."
Addressing his mental preparedness for the competition, he shares insights into the support system in place: "I've spoken to psychologists about my state of wellbeing. I know who I can talk to if I have issues. So, yeah, all I can say is that everything appears to be in place."
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The 61-year-old presenter has been getting his body into tip-top shape to face the tough physical demands of the 14-week challenge. He has managed to drop nearly two stone by focusing on a diet and fitness regimen.
Nick shed light on the rigorous preparation required after getting a taste of the experience via the initial Strictly training session: "I realised I needed to work harder in the gym," he added. Nick said he's spent the past six weeks exercising regularly - cutting down weight by roughly 10 kilos through disciplined eating; restricting himself to one meal a day, staying clear of carbohydrates, and loading up on proteins and green vegetables.
The well-travelled presenter once joked that he'd only consider a liquid diet "once you can juice pork pies and scotch eggs", but in 2017, he spent a month at a wellness retreat in Thailand.
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He claims to have lost nine kilos thanks to the experience, after which he took up yoga and adopted what he termed a ''vegan flexitarian" diet.
Nick hasn't had much opportunity for formal dance training yet, aside from learning a few Tango steps while filming a travel series earlier this year: "It's a beautiful dance but it's also very manly. If I'm nervous of anything, it's the bouncy things, the Charleston and stuff."
He might have learned a step or two from his ex-wife Jessica Rose Moor, a professional dancer, although they separated in 2017.
Nick's three sisters are also dancers, so he's likely to receive plenty of advice over the next few weekends.