Nick Knowles reveals 8kg weight loss with 'more to go' ahead of BBC Strictly Come Dancing debut

Nick Knowles is starring in the 20th anniversary series of Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One
-Credit: (Image: BBC)


DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles knows all about transformations. As presenter on the long-running BBC show, he has made huge differences to people's lives by making their homes suitable to their needs.

Now, the star finds himself having to transform himself in readiness for a starring role in Strictly Come Dancing which returns to BBC One for its latest series on Saturday night. And Knowles, 61, who lives near Cirencester, has spoken about turning himself into a Strictly sensation.

He said as soon as his Strictly job was confirmed, he knew he had to get back to 'fighting weight'. He said: "So, I’ve been on a tough fitness regime, losing eight kilos in five weeks, with about 4 or 5 more to go.

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"I’m following my old rugby training routine because I used to really enjoy the off-season, eating and drinking well. That’s the first part. The second part is the actual training, focusing on getting fit and losing weight to be ready to compete."

Knowles joins Strictly for its 20th anniversary series. And with DIY SOS being around in various guises for 25 years, he knows about being part of a staple of the TV world.

He said: "It’s amazing to be around for the anniversary. I remember when Strictly started, and how Brucey had a kind of rebirth right along with it. It was a magical fit—everybody loved Brucey, and the show instantly caught everyone’s imagination.

"Families don’t gather around a computer to watch things together, they sit down together for shows like Strictly and DIY SOS. These are feel-good, fun programmes that people watch as a group. So, being part of an anniversary period, even for a short time, is very special."

Nick Knowles says he is transforming himself to be fighting fit for Strictly
Nick Knowles says he is transforming himself to be fighting fit for Strictly -Credit:PA

He also looked back to his own life and what he was doing when he was 20. He said: "At 20, I was working for the Ministry of Defence dealing with mainframe computers. I realised I didn’t like computers and much preferred working with people, so I decided it was time for a change. I went to Australia to play rugby and ended up getting on TV while I was there. 20 years ago today, I was building houses, because DIY SOS has been going for 25 years!"

As a master of TV presenting - not just DIY SOS, but quiz shows and travel shows, he said he is relishing the chance to show off a different side of himself. "I enjoy new challenges," he said. "Throughout my career, I’ve succeeded at something and then thought, 'Okay, let’s roll the dice and start again.'

"I began as a journalist, moved into factual entertainment, did Saturday night quiz shows, wrote seven history dramas, made a film, then tackled a cookbook, and recently did travel shows. The next thing I do will be something different again. So when this opportunity to learn a new skill came up, I was excited."