Nick Knowles’ Strictly dance partner and his ‘clingy’ fiancee clash after she kept showing up to their rehearsals
NICK Knowles has waltzed into a tricky tangle between fiancée Katie Dadzie and his Strictly partner Luba Mushtuk.
Luba, 34, expressed concerns in front of others backstage that lingerie businesswoman Katie, 33, was turning up too frequently at the practice studio.
A source said Luba felt she “could not teach with Katie’s eyes on her” when she and DIY SOS TV host Nick, 62, were in close holds during training.
BBC production staff were made aware and the presenter was said to have asked his girlfriend not to come so regularly to the studio during training hours.
Following this, their training sessions were moved from Slough near the couple’s home in Berkshire to a studio in North London.
A source said: “Luba found the constant interruptions exasperating because she felt it was disturbing their training and routine. It was starting to affect how Luba could teach, given that she felt Katie’s eyes on her when they were in close holds.
“Luba is a complete professional but no one can deny that it is awkward having your partner’s girlfriend in the room. Katie seems to be very clingy to Nick.”
The source added some of the production staff and Luba’s fellow pro dancers had been openly discussing the situation with Katie.
Meanwhile, the pair’s training sessions have been curtailed over the past two weeks because of Nick sustaining injuries.
Last week, The Sun revealed that he was forced to pull out of the Strictly live Saturday night show as he was on crutches after falling and injuring his knee when he did a jump during a dress rehearsal.
Nick shared a photo on social media with his leg strapped in a brace as he watched the show at home on the sofa.
He wrote: “Gutted not to be out there with everyone tonight on the BBC Strictly dance floor but still suited up and cheering them on from the sofa!”
It was the second injury to blight Nick while he has been taking part in the BBC series, having badly injured his shoulder and arm while changing a car tyre.
Speaking about his injuries on BBC spin-off show It Takes Two on Thursday, Nick said: “Each day gets a little bit better.
“On Friday, it looked pretty bad to be honest.
“Saturday was not so good but I got a scan and so we decided to wait until Monday so we could have a look at that.
“Monday was a little bit stronger and today I got to see the physios and I’ve had help from all the rehab and physio and doctors and they have given me clearance to try and dance tomorrow to train.”
Nick returned to the Strictly dance floor last night as he and Luba performed a Charleston to Rain on the Roof, which was featured at the end of 2017’s Paddington 2.
Their routine had initially planned for the movie-themed show last weekend.
A BBC spokeswoman said: “Nick has been cleared to dance by the medical and physio teams following his injury last week.
“Due to time taken out of training this week, they will be performing their Movies Week Charleston to Rain On The Roof from Paddington 2.”
Katie, who has two young daughters from a previous relationship, met Nick after befriending his youngest son, Eddie, at a play centre three years ago.
She runs her business Boobbix, which sells lactation products, from her home in Windsor, along with sexy lingerie brand Boa Boa.
The couple got engaged in August last year when Nick got down on one knee in America while he was there filming.
Nick has two grown-up children, daughter Tuesday and son Charlie, from his marriage to his first wife Gillian.
The couple were married for five years before divorcing in 2000.
He also fathered son Tyrian-J with ex-dancer Paula Beckett during a brief romance.
Nick met his second wife Jessica Rose Moor — 26 years his junior — in 2009 and the couple tied the knot in 2012 before welcoming son Eddie in 2014.
They separated in January 2016 but Nick supported Jessica through her cancer.
Last night, the BBC denied any formal complaint had been made by Luba or Nick.
But sources insisted to The Sun on Sunday the Russian-born dancer had expressed concerns to others, including production staff and fellow pros.
A spokeswoman for Luba said: “Luba has never made any complaints at any time.”
A Strictly spokeswoman said: “There have been no such complaints made to anyone.”
Wicks stokes Jo talk
By Scarlet Howes, Hannah Hope and Amir Razavi
STRICTLY’S Pete Wicks and dance partner Jowita Przystal have set tongues wagging after being spotted emerging from a bathroom together during rehearsals.
The reality star and the Polish performer — who are both single — are the talk of the set after the incident.
A source said: “Everyone is desperate to know what happened.
“Pete’s found it hilarious and has said it was the first time they were alone together, with a nudge-nudge wink-wink but without spelling out the details so it’s a mystery.”
It is believed to have happened about two weeks ago.
Former The Only Way is Essex star Pete, 36, and ballroom supremo Jowita, 30, have reportedly grown close in the show’s early weeks, with Pete said to be “head over heels”.