Nick Knowles has opened up about his ‘really tough’ Strictly Come Dancing training sessions, which have made him drop two stone in weight.
The DIY SOS star – who is partnered up with professional dancer Luba Mushtuk on the Latin and ballroom show – has offloaded 13 kilos since July through rehearsals.
He’s been busy getting dancing-fit for the first live show of the series, which gets underway on Saturday, September 21.
When asked on Lorraine how his Strictly training has been going, he said: ‘Really tough to start with, if I’m being really honest, because I’ve never done anything like this before.
‘I’m really sort of flat footed, rugby player for years, not really built for this kind of thing at all.
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‘But little bit by little bit Luba’s getting me up on my toes, making all 18 stone of me a little bit lighter on my feet!
‘I’ve lost about 13 kilos probably so far!
‘What I’ve done is I’ve taken all that and made a little person who runs around carrying my mobile phone behind me.’
Strictly has been shrouded in controversy of late following some complaints from previous celebrity contestants over their treatment on the show by professional dance partners.
This resulted in BBC director general Tim Davie apologising to anyone who had an experience on the show that ‘hadn’t been wholly positive’.
As a result, the celebrities have each been given chaperones during their time on the programme, but Nick has found the process ‘super supportive’.
He said: ‘I can only speak from my experience but we have all the psychological and physical help and everyone has been super kind and supportive.
‘But it’s good people have been listened to as well with what has happened. I still wanted to do it anyway.’
Speaking about the chaperones, Luba added: ‘It is good to have someone in the room.
‘I like to film the routine sometimes so it is nice to have someone there.’
In May, former pro Giovanni Pernice, 34, left Strictly after claims from his 2023 partner Amanda Abbington of ‘bullying’ and ‘abusive behaviour’ which she said left her with PTSD.
Giovanni denied allegations after she described his training approach as ‘unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean’.
This was followed by controversy surrounding ex-pro Graziano Di Prima, 30, who also exited the show after one of his previous partners, Zara McDermott, accused him of kicking her and being ‘physically and verbally abusive’.
Graziano’s representative has since shared an apology.
In response to the accusations, the BBC has introduced new measures for this year’s series, including the rehearsal room chaperone.
The show has also appointed welfare producers for celebrities and professionals, in addition to a psychologist on hand.
The BBC’s director of unscripted Kate Phillips outlined the decision to introduce safeguarding measures including welfare support in rehearsals.
‘Whilst we know our shows have been positive experiences for the vast majority of those who have taken part, if issues are raised with us, or we’re made aware of inappropriate behaviour, we will always take that seriously and act,’ she said in a statement.
‘Concerns that have arisen have been fundamentally related to training and rehearsals.
‘The decisive steps we have taken and are announced today, act to further strengthen the welfare and support in place for everyone involved with this production.’
The celebrities taking part in the new series have praised the ‘quite remarkable’ atmosphere producers have created for this year’s show.
Nick previously told the Mail: ‘I think it’s important that people are listened to and they’re taken seriously, which it appears they have been. There is any amount of help and support available, both mentally and physically.
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‘Bits of me are knackered but they’ve already made sure I’ve got physio support. I’ve spoken to psychologists about my state of wellbeing. I know who I can talk to if I have issues. So, yeah, all I can say is that everything appears to be in place.’