Strictly Come Dancing’s Nick Knowles has revealed he was “living in his car” before finding fame on the popular BBC show, DIY SOS. The star, who has been a fixture on the home improvement programme since 1999, confessed that he had to resort to sleeping on friends’ couches and in his car during the early days of his career when he was struggling financially.
The revelation came after a critic on X, previously known as Twitter, lambasted the star for seeking private medical treatment for an arm injury that could potentially jeopardise his future on Strictly.
Sporting a sling, Nick initially informed fans via a video: “It’s been quite painful. I’m on my way up to London, to Harley Street, to get a scan done and to get some top medical advice, but I am heading to training afterwards, so I can learn the steps of my next dance.”
This prompted one disgruntled follower to vent: “Must be nice to be able to go to Harley Street to get an assessment and scan whenever you want it. Most people would be on the phone for hours hoping to get through to the GP surgery or sat in A&E only to be put on the waiting list for a scan. Oh, how the other half live!”
Nick was keen to clarify his situation as he said: “Yes you’re right it is [nice]. I’ve lived in my car occasionally and on other people’s sofas at times over the last 40 years to keep at TV when it wasn’t paying, but recently I’ve done well and been able to pay people back and look after my family including private healthcare. I’m very lucky,” reports the Express.
It is believed that Nick now has a net worth of £7.5million, having left school at 16 and undertaking various jobs. His career path has seen him work on construction sites, in petrol stations, and even selling shoes and carpets before making his mark in television.
However, his television career faced a challenge following a “misunderstanding” with the BBC concerning his participation in a cereal advertisement for Shreddies. This action was contrary to the broadcaster’s policies, leading to his temporary replacement by Rhod Gilbert for an episode of DIY SOS.
On this matter, Nick commented: “It was a bit odd but I knew that it was only for the one show. It was basically a misunderstanding – we sorted it all out – but it meant that I couldn’t do that one show.”