Strictly Come Dancing star was 'living in car' before finding success on BBC show
Nick Knowles confessed he was couch-surfing and living in his car before finally being able to afford private medical treatment for his arm injury.
Nick Knowles reveals Strictly Come Dancing injury
One Strictly Come Dancing star admitted he was “living in his car” before finding success on a hit BBC show.
Nick Knowles has hosted DIY SOS since 1999, but started out his career as a runner in television production. Before finding success on-screen, Nick admitted he was forced to sleep on friends’ sofas and in his vehicle when he struggled to make ends meet.
The admission came in response to a troll on X, formerly Twitter, who criticised the star for going to a private medical clinic for treatment of the arm injury which currently threatens his future on Strictly.
With his arm in a sling, Nick originally told fans in a video: “It’s been quite painful. I’m on my way up to London, to Harley Street, to get a scan done and to get some top medical advice, but I am heading to training afterwards, so I can learn the steps of my next dance.”
One critic then fumed: “Must be nice to be able to go to Harley Street to get an assessment and scan whenever you want it. Most people would be on the phone for hours hoping to get through to the GP surgery or sat in A&E only to be put on the waiting list for a scan. Oh, how the other half live!”
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Nick clearly wanted to set the record straight as he responded: “Yes you’re right – it is [nice]. I’ve lived in my car occasionally and on other people’s sofas at times over the last 40 years to keep at TV when it wasn’t paying, but recently I’ve done well and been able to pay people back and look after my family including private healthcare. I’m very lucky.”
It’s now estimated that Nick has a net worth of £7.5million, after leaving school aged 16 and having a whole host of jobs. He’s worked on building sites, petrol stations and had a job selling shoes and carpets, and then moved into the world of TV.
But his career was put in jeopardy after a “misunderstanding” with the BBC over a cereal campaign, which saw him star in an advert for Shreddies. The move went against the broadcaster’s guidelines, and he was replaced by Rhod Gilbert for a special episode of DIY SOS.
Nick said: “It was a bit odd but I knew that it was only for the one show. It was basically a misunderstanding - we sorted it all out - but it meant that I couldn't do that one show.”
