Has Nick Knowles quit Strictly Come Dancing?

He was given a bye last weekend

Author: Alex RossPublished 9th Oct 2024
Last updated 9th Oct 2024

The 2024 series of Strictly Come Dancing only kicked off a few weeks ago, but already the show has been hit with an injury crisis, as DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles picked up a freak injury outside of the training room, and now he's injured himself again during rehearsals!

Nick, who is paired with Luba Mushtuk, was able to perform during Week Two, but he was later given a bye during Week Three, after picking up a new leg injury during rehearsals.

Has Nick quit Strictly?

Both Nick and Strictly bosses are so far yet to reveal if Nick has been forced to quit the show due to injury, but eagle-eyed fans have spotted a major clue that could mean he won't be performing during Week Four.

As usual, the songs and dances for Saturday night (12th October) were unveiled online, but Nick and Luba were missing from the list, with bosses saying: 'We will update with more news on Nick when we have it.' (sic)

Is Nick performing this weekend?

At the moment it's unknown if Nick will be able to perform on Saturday 12th October.

Why did Nick not perform last weekend?

An official statement was posted on the BBC Strictly account a few days before the live show, which read: 'Unfortunaly, 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'.

What is Nick's injury?

Details of Nick's injury were not given at the time, but it was later revealed he'd injured his knee, being spotted leaving the studio on crutches.

The TV presenter uploaded a photo of himself wearing a knee brace during the live show on Saturday 5th October, saying: 'Gutted not to be out there with everyone tonight on the @bbcstrictly dance floor, but still suited up and cheering them on from the sofa!'. (sic)

How did Nick injure his arm?

Following the first live show, Nick was driving to his own birthday party on Sunday 22nd September, when he broke down on the motorway with a flat tyre. Whilst attempting to change the tyre quickly, 62-year-old Nick injured his bicep, leaving him with his arm wrapped up in a sling.

After telling fans about his injury on his Instagram page, Nick appeared alongside Luba on Strictly: It Takes Two on Monday 23rd September, where he confessed he was still hopeful he would be able to train and perform during Week Two.

On Tuesday 24th September, following appointments with a Dr and physio, Nick gave fans another update about his injury. He wrote: 'Arm update! 'Today I have seen Dr’s and Physio’s who have been wonderful. I’ve had scans (I’ll spare you the grim details) and although it’s feeling a bit better today, the issue is, we don’t know if I can actually use my arm to dance.

'So tomorrow, I’m going to rehearsals with @lubamushtuk and the physio to see just what my arm can do. Then the medics will make a call on if they think I can continue dancing.

'I am still really hopeful that I’ll be able to dance this weekend. So fingers crossed… @bbcstrictly #strictly'. (sic)

One day before the show on Saturday 28th September, Nick announced he was able to perform after being given the all clear by experts.

He told fans in a video from the rehearsal room: "So just an update because, look how excited my dance partner is, because we have been given clearance to dance on Saturday. It’s been an interesting couple of days, full of scans and physios and people helping me.

“Everyone’s been amazing, thank you for all of your messages of support.”

Nick and Luba performed an American Smooth to the track 'Parklife' by Blur, receiving a score of 21/40 from the judges.

Following a public vote, Nick was put through to Week Three.

Check out all of the pairings on this year's Strictly:

Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec


Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu


Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe


Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas


Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola


Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell


Wynne Evans and Katya Jones


JB Gill and Amy Dowden


Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal


Sam Quek and Nikita Kuzmin - ELIMINATED

Eliminated in Week Seven.

Dr Punam Krishan and Gorka Marquez - ELIMINATED

Eliminated in Week Six.

Paul Merson and Karen Hauer - ELIMINATED

Eliminated in Week Five.

Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk - ELIMINATED

Eliminated in Week Four.

Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones - ELIMINATED

Eliminated in Week Three.

Tom Dean and Nadiya Bychkova - ELIMINATED

Eliminated in Week Two.

Strictly Come Dancing continues every Saturday and Sunday night on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Now read:

Diane Buswell praises Strictly partner Chris McCausland after amazing first dance

Giovanni Pernice announces return to TV following Strictly axe

Everything you need to know about Strictly Come Dancing 2024

How to listen to Tay FM:

For great music and incredible competitions tune into Tay FM on 96.4 and 102.8FM, online, on our Tay FM app, your DAB radio, or say ‘Play Tay FM’ on your Smart Speaker. We play you the biggest hits from the world’s hottest artists. You’ll find new favourites every day and hear the songs you've missed from the last few years.