Nick Knowles Joins ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ Amid Past Rugby Controversy

Nick Knowles, the well-known host of the BBC series DIY SOS, has transitioned from construction sites to the dance floor as a participant in the latest series of the popular program Strictly Come Dancing. Knowles is partnered with professional dancer Luba Mushtuk. Although known for his success in home renovation, Knowles actually hails from a family embedded in the world of performance art, with three of his sisters being dancers who taught him the basics of dance during his childhood.

In an interview with the Radio Times, Knowles shared insights into his early love for dance. “As a kid, whenever I heard music, I would dance,” he reflected. “I’ve got three sisters who are all dancers. They taught me pliés and demi-pliés and I joined in until I was about seven or eight.” However, he recounted that his father then steered him towards rugby, a more traditional pursuit. Despite this, Knowles maintained his passion for dance and has regularly attended ballet performances, admiring talents from the Northern Ballet and renowned dancers such as Margot Fonteyn.

Beyond his on-screen persona, Knowles expressed a desire to showcase his lighter side to viewers. “People know I ride a motorbike,” he stated. “I play rugby. Guys come up wanting a pint with me. But we have a soft side. I want people to see me and decide to do a dance class. Dance is an amazing, bonding thing.”

Knowles’ enthusiasm for rugby has occasionally led to public controversies, notably in a heated exchange following a Scotland versus England rugby match officiated by renowned Welsh referee Nigel Owens in 2018. At the time, Knowles criticized Owens heavily on social media platform X, accusing him of bias against England.

The backlash was swift, with prominent figures such as Sir Clive Woodward and Will Greenwood commending Owens’ performance and defending his impartiality. Owens humorously responded by proposing a role swap with Knowles during an appearance on a television show, jestingly offering to build while Knowles tried refereeing.

The animosity was short-lived, with Knowles later mending ties with Owens, suggesting the incident was behind them. “OK you can call off the Welsh Fatwah, we’ve made up,” Knowles tweeted after a meeting with Owens, also humorously noting his renewed ability to visit Welsh family.