Nick Knowles future on Strictly Come Dancing is hanging in balance as he reportedly ‘begs the show’s producers to let him continue’ despite his arm injury.
The DIY SOS presenter, 62, damaged his bicep on Sunday while changing a tyre after his car broke down on the way to his own birthday party.
Nick’s left arm was placed in a sling after the injury and he has been waiting to see if he is able to dance on Saturday.
He is said to be ‘desperate to continue’ but if he is cleared by medical professionals, he will need to learn the routine ‘very quickly.
A source told The Sun: ‘Nick is desperate to carry on and is insisting he is fine to perform but the BBC are naturally wary.’
Nick Knowles future on Strictly Come Dancing is hanging in balance as he reportedly ‘begs the show’s producers to let him continue’ despite his arm injury
The DIY SOS presenter, 62, damaged his bicep on Sunday while changing a tyre after his car broke down on the way to his own birthday party and is ‘desperate’ to continue on the series
They added: ‘If Nick continues and does more damage to himself in the long run it puts them in a tricky position. His health comes first but Nick is pleading with them to continue.
‘If he is cleared he will need to learn quickly. Luba is an amazing teacher and she is confident they can do it. But, ultimately, it might get to a point that the BBC just put their foot down.’
MailOnline has contacted the BBC for comment.
On Wednesday, Nick revealed he was on his way to the training studio to meet partner Luba Mushtuk to see what, if anything, he is able to do – and hopefully get the go ahead to dance.
‘It’s a big day for me really,’ he told fans in a video. ‘I’m really, really hoping that we find out that I can dance on Saturday.’
Sharing the video of him walking to the dance studio, Nick said: ‘Good morning everyone. Well it’s been an interesting few days I can tell you that. A lot to think about, seen a lot of people. I’ve got loads of people trying to make everything work.
‘I’m feeling good, arms in a sling still to make sure that it’s rested when I’m not using it but today I’m going to try and dance to see what my capabilities are.
‘Luba is trying to prepare a dance that will work for me. ‘
He added: I’d really like to stay part of the competition, so keep your fingers crossed for me.’
On Wednesday, Nick revealed he was on his way to the training studio to meet partner Luba Mushtuk to see what, if anything, he is able to do – and hopefully get the go ahead to dance
Nick’s left arm was placed in a sling after the injury and he has been waiting to see if he is able to dance on Saturday
He said: ‘It’s a big day for me really,’ he told fans in a video. ‘I’m really, really hoping that we find out that I can dance on Saturday’
Strictly bosses have drawn up contingency plans if he is forced to withdraw from this weekend’s show.
Producers are desperate not to lose their most-profile star from the 20th anniversary series.
They have made plans to give him a ‘free pass’ to week three while he recovers, instead of forcing him to withdraw from the competition completely.
A source told MailOnline: ‘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.
‘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.’
‘If that bothers other contestants, then so be it. The bosses want him back.’
Yesterday, Knowles was under the medical supervision of doctors and physiotherapists in a desperate bid to stay in the contest.
He will return to Strictly rehearsals on Wednesday, where doctors will make a final decision on whether he is able to continue.
This weekend, the first celebrity contestant will be voted off the dance show.
After visiting Harley Street for an emergency MRI scan on Monday, Knowles told Strictly spin-off show It Takes Two that he remained ‘really hopeful’ he could continue on the show.
But host Janette Manrara told viewers: ‘At this stage, we don’t know if you’ll be able to dance on Saturday.’
He is due to dance an American Smooth to Blur’s Parklife with his professional partner Luba, providing he gets the all-clear from medics.
After visiting Harley Street for an emergency MRI scan on Monday, Knowles told Strictly spin-off show It Takes Two that he remained ‘really hopeful’ he could continue on the show
Mushtuk joked that they’ll make Knowles’s sling ‘sparkly’ and said that he ‘still has perfect position on the right arm.’
She said the pair can work on doing ‘perfect footwork’ for the foxtrot element of the dance and will still hopefully do a lift, noting that they could ‘work around’ the injury.
Knowles added: ‘Luckily I’m very big, and Luba is very light, so one-arm lifts.’
A BBC insider said: ‘No firm decision has been made. We are still very much hopeful that Nick will dance this weekend.
‘Between everyone we are managing the injury. Nick very much wants to dance, his health comes first and we all have our fingers crossed.’
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One on Saturday at 6:15pm.
