DIY SOS star Nick Knowles joins Strictly line-up

Knowles has been rumoured to be joining the BBC One competition, which has been embroiled in controversy following complaints from former contestants.

His identity was revealed on Monday on the BBC’s The One Show.

Knowles, the 13th celebrity to be named, said: “I’m so, so excited to be taking part in Strictly this year. People might be more used to me being stuck on a building site or travelling the world, but dancing on live TV will be a whole new adventure.

“I have spent my whole life learning new skills and I have never been afraid of a challenge – there is life in the old dog who still has a big challenge to face – learning to dance! I will do everything I can… and of course try not to embarrass my children.”

The 61-year-old has had a long career at the BBC and is known for the long-running renovation programme DIY SOS and the former game shows Who Dares Wins, which ended in 2019, Break The Safe and 5-Star Family Reunion.

He also took part in ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2018 and has presented travel programmes including The Mighty Mississippi With Nick Knowles on Channel 5.

In addition to his work as a presenter, he co-wrote the 2016 action comedy Golden Years and released his debut album Every Kind Of People in 2017, featuring covers of some of his favorite songs.

Morning Live doctor Punam Krishan, gladiator and Olympian Montell Douglas, EastEnders’ Jamie Borthwick, Olympian Tom Dean, singer Shayne Ward and Miranda actress Sarah Hadland are all set to take part in the latest series.

The show also welcomes its first blind contestant, comedian Chris McCausland, who will be up against JLS star JB Gill, Go Compare opera singer Wynne Evans, singer Toyah Willcox, Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri and reality TV star Pete Wicks.

The results of an investigation launched by the BBC into allegations made by former contestant Amanda Abbington about former Strictly dancer Giovanni Pernice have not yet been published.

Pernice denies the allegations.

On July 16, the BBC announced that new welfare measures would be introduced, including an attendant who will be present “at all times” during rehearsals.

Fellow dancer Graziano Di Prima left the show.

He told the Daily Mail last weekend that he had “no intention of kicking” his 2023 dance partner Zara McDermott and he didn’t know where the Love Island star’s accusations came from.