Strictly's Nick Knowles shares health update after arm injury

The TV star damaged his arm as he was changing a tyre

Nick Knowles is taking part in Strictly Come Dancing. (BBC)
Nick Knowles is taking part in Strictly Come Dancing. (BBC)

Strictly's Nick Knowles has told fans that he's "hopeful" he will be able to take part in this weekend's show after injuring his arm.

The DIY SOS presenter hurt himself as he tried to change a tyre on the motorway after breaking down on his way to his 62nd birthday party. Fans had been wondering if Knowles would be well enough to take to the dancefloor on the BBC ballroom show this Saturday.

He offered an update on Strictly spin-off It Takes Two, telling fans he was optimistic about his chances of being there.

"I am hopeful, I am hopeful," he said on Monday's show on 23 September. "I will find out more tomorrow but I am fully expecting to go into training and I am really hopeful that I will be dancing on Saturday."

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

Knowles, who was wearing a sling, explained that he had been on the way to his birthday celebration on Sunday, 22 September, when he hurt himself.

"We broke down on the motorway with a flat tyre," he explained. "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...

"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."

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Knowles has now seen a specialist, and if all goes well he and his pro partner Luba Mushtuk will perform an American Smooth to Blur's Parklife on the next programme. Mushtuk said on It Takes Two that she planned to "sparkle" Knowles' sling for the routine.

"We still have a perfect position on our right arm," she said. "We are going to do perfect footwork... we might even do the lift on that arm!"

Strictly Come Dancing 2024,14-09-2024,Generics,Generics,Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk,**EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION UNTIL 21:00 HRS ON SATURDAY 14TH SEPTEMBER 2024**,BBC Public Service,Ray Burmiston
Nick Knowles is paired with Luba Mushtuk in the competition. (BBC)

"Luckily I am very big and Luba is very light," laughed Knowles. "So it's like, one-arm lifts."

Knowles and Mushtuk ended up towards the bottom of the leaderboard after last week's show, scoring 18 out of 40. But Knowles said he wasn't too nervous despite the first elimination looming.

"If I do my best and people can see that I am really really trying, then hopefully the audience will get behind me and that will make a difference," he said.

Revealing his injury on social media on Monday, the TV presenter explained that he would be taking medical guidance from a doctor 'on Harley Street', the London district known for medical practitioners.

All the stars of Strictly Come Dancing 2024. (BBC)
All the stars of Strictly Come Dancing 2024. (BBC)

Viewers have been posting messages on social media saying they hope the TV star is well enough to dance this weekend.

"Sending healing vibes to Nick," one person wrote on X. "Hope he's OK."

"Oh no, just read about your injury Nick - so sorry to hear about it," said someone else. I hope it's better soon."

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One on Saturday.