Strictly’s Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly break silence on Nick Knowles’ show absence after he pulls out due to injury

AS STRICTLY Come Dancing kicked off another week with couples on the dance floor, the show addressed the absence of one celebrity and his partner.

Strictly Come Dancing hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly explained to viewers at the start of the BBC show why one celebrity couple hadn’t featured in the opening line up.

DIY SOS star Nick Knowles and his partner Luba Mushtuk have been granted a pass through to next week after Nick sustained a knee injury during rehearsals.

Tess explained: “In rehearsals yesterday, Nick sustained an injury and is unable to perform.”

Claudia added: “Nick we are all wishing you a speedy recovery.”

Earlier this week Nick addressed his absence from Movie Week as he told fans: “I’m absolutely gutted and feeling very very sad.”

Nick injured himself after falling when he did a jump during a dress rehearsal – leaving him on crutches.

It is the second injury to blight Nick on Strictly after he injured his shoulder and arm while changing a car tyre.

A source told The Sun earlier this week: “Nick won’t be able to take part in Strictly tomorrow night after hurting his knee.

“He was in a dress rehearsal with his partner Luba Mushtuk when he did a jump and landed awkwardly.

“Nick has hurt his knee and is having to use crutches to get around now.

“It is such a devastating blow for him and he is being supported by the Strictly team.

“They are sending him for scans and are doing everything they can to make sure he is okay.”

A spokesperson for Strictly also said: “Unfortunately, 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.”

The decision to give Nick and Luba a pass through to next week has received criticism from Strictly fans, as they complain that his automatic entry into next week may mean that someone more deserving is forced to leave the competition.

Writing on social media site X, one fans said: “Nick Knowles has to go.”

Another said: ““When he is hopefully able to…”. And what if he isn’t? What do you say to the couple who goes home this week for no reason?

“Two injuries in 2 weeks? It’s early enough in the comp. I say swop him out for a diff celeb

“For gods sake he should have gone last week altogether really
Should just send them home they will probably be in the dance off either way.”