How ‘rugged’ Nick Knowles became Britain’s most controversial heartthrob & 5 superpowers the Strictly star uses on women
AS heartthrobs go, Nick Knowles probably isn’t at the top of many women’s lust lists.
He’s a self confessed workaholic, admits he can’t assemble flat-pack furniture, and was only recently accused of labelling women in the North East “munters.”
But with a string of hot exes, four children by three different women and a fiance who is 28 years his junior, the 62-year-old is certainly doing something right.
And whilst Nick hopes to waltz his way into the judge’s good books on Strictly Come Dancing once he’s recovered from a knee injury, he’s also set to walk down the aisle for a third time with Katie Dadzi, 33, a lingerie business owner.
Relationship expert Annabelle Knight says: “There’s something about Nick that women can’t get enough of even though he isn’t your typical heartthrob.
“With his dad bod and divorces, he’s no David Beckham.
“But Nick’s seen as attractive for several reasons – he’s got charm, confidence, and rugged looks which are all key factors.”
Here, YASMIN HARISHA reveals the five ‘superpowers’ which make Nick so desirable to the opposite sex whilst Annabelle explains how he became a rather unlikely heartthrob.
Hopeless romantic
In 2017, Nick revealed his greatest passions in life were: “Music, rugby, and motorbikes– and women.”
He continued: “I have a penchant for attractive women, oddly enough. I’m quite fortunate that many of my closest friends are attractive women.”
And Nick’s history of exes proves he’s quite the romantic.
Before rising to TV fame, Nick was married to Gillian, the mum of two of his children, Tuesday, 26, and Charlie, 27.
After their marriage ended, he dated beauty therapist Paula Beckett-Vass for two years, and they welcomed a son, Tyrian-J.
Then in 2000, Nick formed a relationship with TV and Radio presenter Suzi Perry, but the couple parted ways three years later.
Nick has a natural charm and wit, which can be very appealing
Annabelle Knight
Nick met second wife, Jessica Moor, in 2009, and they tied the knot in September 2012 before welcoming a son, Edwin, two years later – but in January 2016, they split.
He was then spotted getting cosy with Emmerdale actress Gemma Oaten at the TV Choice Awards and even took her on a romantic getaway to Edinburgh.
Annabelle says: “There’s something deeply appealing about a hopeless romantic, which Nick clearly is.
“He loves being in a relationship! It’s the vulnerability, the passion, and the belief in love despite all odds.
“It speaks to the heart, that someone would embrace the beauty in emotions and take risks for love time after time. It shows an enthusiasm and a commitment to finding happiness.
But in 2018, Nick confessed he was no longer “into dating.”
Natural charm and wit
Nick changed lives on heartwarming show DIY SOS and viewers couldn’t help but be drawn to his warm wit and the twinkle in his eye.
Annabelle says: “Many women are drawn to confident, competent men who show leadership and drive.
“Nick’s dedication to his work and passion for helping others may be seen as signs of strength and reliability.
People think dating me will be fun, but then I’m away for months on end
Nick Knowles
“Nick has a natural charm and wit, which can be very appealing.
“His stint on I’m A Celeb showed his ability to connect with people, and with his work on shows like DIY SOS, where he helps transform people’s lives, highlights his compassionate side, something that most people find attractive.”
Workaholic turned loverholic
Many women have tried to tame the man from Middlesex but one passion comes first for Nick and that’s his work.
He’s revealed previously how being a workaholic could have contributed to the breakdown of his past relationships.
He said: “They last six months and start off with me explaining that I work a lot, so will have commitment issues.
“The women involved agree that that is fine, then after a month I get a phone call saying, ‘This isn’t on’.”
But Annabelle says a workaholic nature can be alluring: “Many women are drawn to confident, competent men who show leadership and drive,” she says.
“Nick’s dedication to his work and passion for helping others may be seen as signs of strength and reliability which is why they could be attracted to him at first.
What is the 'munters' row?
STRICTLY star Nick Knowles allegedly branded North East women “munters” in a chat with a charity worker, it was claimed.
The TV favourite, 62, allegedly made lewd and offensive remarks to the woman and ogled her breasts while filming BBC show DIY SOS: The Big Build.
It left the 33-year-old support worker feeling embarrassed and mortified, she claimed.
The mum of one said she was interviewed by Knowles in 2018 for an episode of the show about a home renovation for a family with a young disabled child.
She claims he turned up late after boozing the night before — and later kipped in a van.
Knowles was said to have been hung over, looked worse for wear and stank of stale booze and cigarettes after partying at North Shields Fish Quay.
When the then 26-year-old dropped her microphone down her blouse, the star allegedly said: “It’s a shame that’s not a camera.”
And while recounting his big night out, she claims he branded the women of North Shields “munters”, and said she was the “first good-looking woman he had seen” while in the North East.
She told The Sun: “I was mortified. He humiliated me in a very personal way in front of the whole crew. It was offensive. He was in his late 50s. He was being so inappropriate and I felt belittled.
“I had been looking forward to meeting him and he ruined the whole experience for me.”
The BBC declined to comment but said it is “against all inappropriate behaviour and have robust processes if issues are raised”.
Knowles said he had encountered hundreds of people in the course of his work and cannot be expected to remember what he has said to everyone he has met.
“But equally seeing his ‘workaholic’ side could be off putting.
“There’s always the possibility that for the right person he’ll change his ways.”
“And even if his workaholic tendencies seem to be a negative he’s got plenty of other positive qualities to fall back on.”
Rough and ready
Current partner Katie revealed to The Sun on Sunday last year that there wasn’t an “instant attraction” at first, but that quickly changed.
She said: “Nick has a Peter Pan complex, he doesn’t act the age he is at all.
“He is like a teenage boy and has so much energy. I also act a bit older, so it works out.”
But when she first met him, she admitted: “I actually didn’t like him very much.
“We just knew each other as our kids were friends.
“I’m very shy and quiet, while Nick is quite extroverted and a complete chatterbox. He didn’t give me a lot of opportunity to talk. I didn’t know a lot about him.
This authenticity can make him more appealing because he seems relatable and approachable
Annabelle Knight
“The more we went out the more I realised what a nice guy he is as he’s constantly bombarded by fans and always has time for a picture.”
Gruelling rehearsals on Strictly are sure to take Nick’s somewhat ‘dad bod’ to ‘fit bod’.
Annabelle says: “No one can deny that he’s a good looking man, with his height, deep voice, and distinctive style.
“This may align with some of the more traditional masculine traits that some women find attractive.”
The brave hero
Nick has openly shared his battles with mental health issues and is keen to make a difference.
In 2015 he led large scale projects for charity in the show The Big Build.
Annabelle says: “All of these acts show a sense of confidence that is very attractive.
“Despite his hard working nature and celebrity lifestyle, Nick often comes across as down-to-earth guy, who’s not only very genuine but caring too.”
Annabelle says Nick has also made himself seem attainable to a lot of women, which boosts his appeal.
“His appearances on various talk shows and in the media show that he’s a great sense of humour, which can make someone more attractive,” she adds.
“This authenticity can make him more appealing because he seems relatable and approachable.”
Writer Jo Dunbar's response to Nick's alleged 'munter' comment
By Jo Dunbar, from the North East of England…
WHO on earth does Nick Knowles think he is?
I know I’m not the only woman in the North East fuming about the claims he made rude and offensive comments and, while he might be smiling from ear to ear as he waltzes across the floor on Strictly Come Dancing, women up north are gunning for him.
‘Munters’ – that’s what he’s said to have called women in the North East whilst filming BBC show DIY SOS: The Big Build in North Shields.
A charity worker who met Nick claims he told her was the “first good-looking woman he had seen”.
What a charmer, if that is the language he’s used it’s hideous and he ought to take a long, hard look in the mirror.
I’m not a munter, and neither are the rest of the women in the region – yet Nick has tarred us all with the same insulting, misogynistic brush.
He’s a hugely recognisable celebrity and currently appearing on one of the nation’s biggest TV shows. It’s essentially a popularity contest yet Nick has managed to alienate an entire region of the UK with his thoughtless and offensive remarks.
I’m far from being the only woman in the North East left aghast at the comments Nick made.
“Urgh. Vile pig.” slammed one on social media, and, “this doesn’t surprise me.”
Nick’s ignorant comments suggest he doesn’t have his head screwed on at all.
My ‘patch’ is teeming with hot women like Cheryl, Donna Air, Amber Gill and Vicky Pattison who all hail from Newcastle.
Little Mix stunners Perrie Edwards and Jade Thirlwall are South Shields lasses whilst Jayne Middlemiss whose model looks catapulted her to stardom has roots in Northumberland.
Petite star Helen Skelton was born in Cumbria and following Blue Peter now has tonnes of TV work covering sports, live TV and BBC staple Countryfile.
We’ve even bred a Miss United Kingdom – North Shields-born Madeleine Stringer was crowned in 1977.
Girls Aloud singer Cheryl’s gorgeous bone structure and beautiful hair meant companies such as L’Oreal snapped her up for advertising deals. And I’m sure Nick would have clocked the amount of times she topped FHM’s Sexiest Women of the Year poll.
I’m 41 and happily married but in my younger days I would scrub up to go out with my friends and we’d turn heads and get plenty of male attention.
Every woman can lack self esteem from time to time but in a glam outfit, comfy yet chunky heels and my face made up, I know I look my best and have the confidence to go out and have fun.
But men who make cruel comments like Nick’s have the power to derail a woman’s confidence in a flash which simply isn’t on.
Women from these parts take pride in glamming up and dressing up. Time is taken styling hair, applying tan and doing make up perfectly. It’s often the North East nights out that newspapers splash on their pages with stunning young women dressed to the nines.
I’m pretty sure women of the ‘The Toon’ won’t be casting their Strictly votes Nick’s way on Saturday night.
He’s waltzed his way firmly into our bad books.