Nick Knowles will return to Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night after an arm injury left his long-term future on the show at stake.
Fan favourite Nick was left sweating for his place after suffering the injury while changing a tyre when his car broke down on the way to his 62nd birthday party.
But he has since been given the green light by show bosses – a decision strengthened by his popularity with viewers – meaning he will return with professional dancer Luba Mushtuk for week two.
A source said The mirrorNick and Luba’s attitude is very clear: the show must go on and they were very excited when they gave the go-ahead. They will even try to get it back up.
Luba has told Nick that the move he was planning for the routine can be done safely for him, so as things stand, they’re going to keep doing it. Nick is totally on board because the last thing he wants is the pity vote.
Nick Knowles will return to Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night after an arm injury left his long-term future on the show at stake.
Nick Knowles has given an update to Strictly fans as his arm injury continues to threaten his future on the BBC dancing competition.
“Now that he’s been told he can perform this week, he’s determined to go all out and give his all in the routine.
‘He and Luba are now rehearsing at Elstree to make up for the time they’ve lost this week.’
Nick had a sling placed on his left arm after the injury and has been waiting to see if he can dance on Saturday.
On Wednesday night, the reality TV star shared an Instagram video revealing that her recovery is going well and that a final decision will be made soon on whether she will be able to dance on Saturday’s live show.
“Well, I want to tell you something new. I just got out of a bathroom after a day of training that went very, very well,” Nick told his followers.
“My shoulder is recovering very well. I also saw a great physiotherapist today, who helped me a lot.”
She revealed that producers and her team of doctors will decide on Thursday whether she will dance this weekend.
“I’ll have another day of training tomorrow. Tomorrow afternoon it will be decided whether I’ll be able to compete on Saturday,” Nick said, adding that he was feeling hopeful.
The DIY SOS presenter, 62, injured his bicep on Sunday while changing a tyre after his car broke down on the way to his own birthday party.
On Wednesday night, the TV star shared an Insta video revealing that her recovery is going well and a final decision will be made soon on whether she will be able to dance on Saturday.
“I’m doing everything I can to get there. I’ve got my fingers crossed. I hope to see you on Saturday.”
Earlier on Wednesday, Nick revealed he was heading to the training studio to meet up with fellow contestant Luba Mushtuk to see what (if anything) she can do and hopefully get the go-ahead to dance.
“It’s a big day for me, honestly,” she told her followers in a video. “I’m really, really hoping that on Saturday we can find out that I can dance.”
Sharing the video of him walking into the dance studio, Nick said: ‘Morning everyone. Well it’s been an interesting few days I can tell you that. A lot to think about, I’ve seen a lot of people. I’ve got a lot of people trying to get it all working.
‘I feel fine, still with my arms in a sling to make sure I get a rest when I’m not using them, but I’m going to try dancing today to see what my capabilities are.
‘Luba is trying to prepare a dance that works for me.’
He added: “I’d really like to continue being part of the competition, so keep your fingers crossed for me.”
Strictly bosses have drawn up contingency plans if he is forced to pull out of this weekend’s show.
Producers are desperate not to lose their breakout star from the 20th anniversary series.
They have made plans to give him a ‘free pass’ to the third week while he recovers, rather than forcing him to withdraw from competition altogether.
A source told MailOnline: ‘Everyone is anxiously waiting for the medical team to give them the all-clear for Nick to compete this weekend, but they are determined not to lose him from the show.
Nick had a sling placed on his left arm after the injury and has been waiting to see if he can dance on Saturday.
Earlier on Wednesday, Nick revealed he was heading to the training studio to meet up with fellow contestant Luba Mushtuk to see what, if anything, she can do.
“It’s a big day for me,” she told her followers in a video. “I’m really, really hopeful that we can find out that I can dance on Saturday.”
“He is a very popular figure with viewers and if he needs time to recover, he will have a free pass to return the following week, if all goes well.”
“If that bothers the other contestants, then so be it. The bosses want him back.”
Yesterday, Knowles was under medical supervision by doctors and physiotherapists in a desperate attempt to remain in the competition.
She will return to Strictly rehearsals on Wednesday, where doctors will make a final decision on whether she can continue.
This weekend, the first celebrity contestant will be eliminated from the dance show.
After visiting Harley Street for an emergency MRI scan on Monday, Knowles told Strictly spin-off It Takes Two he remained “really hopeful” he would be able to continue on the show.
But presenter Janette Manrara told viewers: “At this stage, we don’t know if they will be able to dance on Saturday.”
She plans to dance an American Smooth to Blur’s Parklife with her professional partner Luba, provided she gets the all-clear from doctors.
After visiting Harley Street for an emergency MRI scan on Monday, Knowles told Strictly spin-off It Takes Two he remained “really hopeful” he would be able to continue on the show.
Mushtuk joked that they will make Knowles’ sling “brilliant” and said she “still has a perfect position on her right arm.”
She said the pair can work on getting “perfect footwork” for the foxtrot element of the dance and will still hopefully do a lift, noting they could “work around” the injury.
Knowles added: “Luckily I’m very big and Luba is very light, so she lifts with one arm.”
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One on Saturday at 6.15pm
