BBC Strictly star shares staggering weight loss from rehearsals as training begins

Nick Knowles

Nick Knowles shared his Strictly Come Dancing training weight loss

BBC/Getty
Olivia Gantzer

By Olivia Gantzer


Published: 16/08/2024

- 20:52

The competition will kick off on BBC One in the autumn

Strictly Come Dancing's full line-up has now been announced, with the series debut edging closer and a mix of stars from the entertainment world gearing up to take to the iconic dance floor.

Among them is TV presenter Nick Knowles, who this week has shared how much weight he's already shed thanks to the intense training.


The 61-year-old is best known for fronting BBC's DIY SOS and Who Dares Wins, but has now stepped into the world of dance rehearsals and fitness training.

When his sign-up for the show was revealed earlier this week, Knowles stated: "I'm so, so excited to be doing Strictly this year.

"People may be more used to me getting stuck in on a building site or travelling the world, but dancing live on TV will be a whole new adventure.

"I've spent my whole life learning new skills and I’ve never been afraid of a challenge - there’s life in the old dog yet to take on one more big one – being taught how to dance! I'll give it my everything... and try not to embarrass my kids of course!"

He explained on Monday that he's recently been lifting weights in an effort to get into shape before the show begins, and has now revealed how much weight he's managed to shift.

During BBC's The One Show on Monday, he told presenters: "I danced in Rio last year doing an Argentine Tango and I thought this is great. My elder sister was a ballroom dancer so I am the least talented person in the family."

Taking to social media, the television show host announced he's already lost "7 kilos" from training.

Responding to a comment on X, he penned: "Well I've been training in the gym and on a strict diet and have lost 7 kilos already."

Knowles has been the face of DIY SOS for the last 24 years. More recently, he worked for Channel 5 on various travel programmes including Into the Grand Canyon, The Mighty Mississippi and Nick Knowles in South America.

Over the past two decades, Nick has presented an extensive list of topics spanning news, factual, travel and entertainment programmes and has solidified himself as one of the UK's most familiar faces on television.

Knowles isn't the only one to have been working up a sweat in preparation for his Strictly journey, with 52-year-old Wynne Evans sharing a candid clip on his Instagram.

Filming a video of himself, he appeared tired as he told fans: "So, trying to get my stamina up for Strictly. Running, as per usual thought I was going to have a heart attack. Boiling hot today!

Nick Knowles

Nick Knowles shared his Strictly Come Dancing training weight loss

Getty

"Did a Susie Chan class - legend. Cheers Susie, this is what a fat man doing one of your classes looks like!"

He penned in the caption: "Running as per usual legendary @susie_chan_ class". While many recognise Evans as the memorable Go Compare character from the adverts, he has also enjoyed two number-one classical music albums throughout his 25-year career.

Evans has also given 200 performances at the Royal Albert Hall in London. The father-of-two currently has a daily radio show on BBC Radio Wales and has previously had radio shows on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM.

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