Strictly bosses hold crisis talks and draft ’emergency plan’ as Nick Knowles’ future on show hangs in balance
STRICTLY bosses are holding “crisis talks” as Nick Knowles’ future on the BBC show hangs in the balance.
Earlier this week, Nick, 62, had been forced to have an emergency MRI scan on his arm after injuring himself while changing a tyre.
Yesterday, The Sun revealed that Nick would return to Strictly rehearsals today, where doctors will make a final decision on whether he is able to continue.
It has now been reported that “anxious” producers have drafted an “emergency plan” to decide what to do next, and are hoping to keep the star on the show as they await to hear from the medical team.
“They are all anxiously waiting to get the all clear from the medical team about Nick being able to compete this weekend, but are determined not to lose him from the show,” a source told the Mail.
The insider said that Nick could get a “free pass” to the following week, which is not unusual in these circumstances.
“He is such a popular figure with viewers, and if he needs time to recover he will get a free pass to return the following week, all being well,” they continued.
“If that bothers other contestants, then so be it. The bosses want him back.”
The Sun have reached out to Strictly for comment.
On Tuesday, Insiders said the BBC wanted to assess whether the DIY SOS host would do more harm than good if he carried on in the show.
Nick spent the day with doctors and physiotherapists in a desperate bid to stay on the show with his pro partner Luba Mushtuk.
He is now under medical supervision and will be accessed after rehearsals to see if he can continue.
A source said: “Nick is desperate to dance but the BBC are putting his health above everything.
“He spent all of today with doctors and physios and he said he’ll do anything he can to dance again.
“But ultimately it all comes down to training tomorrow. He will rehearse with Luba and then he will be accessed again by the show doctor.
“If the doctor thinks Nick is at risk of hurting himself then his Strictly dream will be over.
“Nick is being really positive as he thinks he will be fine but his welfare and health has to come first.”
After The Sun revealed Nick is returning to rehearsals today, Nick updated his own Instagram followers.
He wrote: “Today I have seen Dr’s and Physio’s who have been wonderful. I’ve had scans (I’ll spare you the grim details) and although it’s feeling a bit better today, the issue is, we don’t know if I can actually use my arm to dance.
So tomorrow, I’m going to rehearsals with @lubamushtuk and the physio to see just what my arm can do. Then the medics will make a call on if they think I can continue dancing.
“I am still really hopeful that I’ll be able to dance this weekend. So fingers crossed…”
Nick and Luba are due to perform an American Smooth to Blur‘s Parklife on Saturday.
The Sun told how Nick had been forced to have an emergency MRI scan on his arm after injuring himself while changing a tyre.
It happened the day after his first live performance with Luba.
Taking to Instagram on Monday, Nick gave fans an update while wearing a brown pashmina shawl as a temporary sling.
He told his followers: “Good morning, I thought I’d give a little update.
“As you can see my arm is in a sling and that’s because at the weekend my car broke down at the side of the motorway.
“My little boy in the car, so wanted to change the tyre as quickly as I possibly could, to make sure we were safe.
“In the process of hurrying to get the wheel off as quickly as I possibly could because there was a big wheel on my big car.”
Nick explained that he was not certain of the extent of the damage at this stage, but was on his way to Harley Street for a scan.
“I managed to damage my shoulder and my arm a little bit.
“I’m not sure how or what. But it’s been quite painful, although a little better this morning.
“So I’m on my way up to London to Harley Street to get a scan done and to get some top medical advice.”
Nick scored 18 points on Saturday and was fourth from the bottom.