Strictly Come Dancing – live: Nick Knowles expresses concern after just ‘two days’ of rehearsal
All the updates from week two of the BBC dancing competition
Your support helps us to tell the story
My recent work focusing on Latino voters in Arizona has shown me how crucial independent journalism is in giving voice to underrepresented communities.
Your support is what allows us to tell these stories, bringing attention to the issues that are often overlooked. Without your contributions, these voices might not be heard.
Every dollar you give helps us continue to shine a light on these critical issues in the run up to the election and beyond
Eric Garcia
Washington Bureau Chief
Strictly Come Dancing week two is upon us – and Nick Knowles has confirmed he will be performing after days of uncertainty.
Earlier this week, the DIY SOS host suffered a shouder injury, throwing his participation into question – but he has now revealed he will be performing despite having just “two days” to rehearse.
The first two weeks of the BBC competition have eased this year’s crop of stars into proceedings, with a launch show that saw the contestants partnered with their respective professional, and a first week of dances in which nobody eliminated.
However, this week, the judges’ scores from last week will roll over and will then be combined with the viewer vote, meaning two couples will have to take part in the dreaded dance-off during Sunday’s results show (29 September).
Out of the 15 couples who danced, the leaderboard was topped with 31 points by JLS star JB Gill and Amy Dowden, who made a triumphant return to Strictly after being too ill to compete in last year’s series as she was recovering from treatment for stage three breast cancer.
Meanwhile, at the other end of the scale is punk-rock singer Toyah Willcox, who scored 12 out of 40, and former Arsenal player Paul Merson, who receivedjust 17 for his American Smooth to the football anthem “Vindaloo”.
Chris McCausland involved in rehearsal mishap
Chris McCausland has detailed a mishap he and Strictly Come Dancing’s Dianne Buswell suffered ahead of the series’ first live show.
The comedian, 47, who is the show’s first blind contestant, performed a cha cha with his professional partner to “Twist and Shout” by The Beatles on Saturday night (21 September).
Strictly’s judges, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke, were in awe of what McCausland had achieved and scored the performance 23 out of 40 points.
But McCausland, who lost his sight aged 22 due to a hereditary condition called retinitis pigmentosa, later revealed to the Strictly presenter Claudia Winkleman that training had not been without its difficulties.
Read more here:
Chris McCausland reveals Dianne Buswell kicked him during Strictly rehearsal
‘I did not avoid or anticipate it,’ the comedian said
Who is topping the ‘Strictly’ leaderboard?
While nobody was eliminated from last week’s Strictly, that doesn’t mean the episode has no bearing on what occurs tonight.
The judges’ scores will roll over and be combined with whatever the celebrities manage to get tonight.
With this in mind, here’s how the leaderboard currently stands:
Strictly 2024 leaderboard: The scores from week one of the BBC dance competition
Recapping how the judges marked the ‘Strictly’ couples in week one
‘Strictly’ star admits to fancying professional partner
Strictly Come Dancing’s Sarah Hadland has admitted that she fancies her professional partner Vito Coppola.
The 53-year-old comedy actor, best known for playing the joke shop manager Stevie Sutton in the BBC sitcom Miranda, freely admitted to fancying the 32-year-old Italian ballroom dancer the minute they met.
“Yes, I fancied him. I’m alive, aren’t I?” she replied when asked if she found him attractive. “If you’re female and have a heartbeat, how could he NOT be anybody’s type?”
Read more here:
Strictly Come Dancing star admits to fancying their professional partner
‘If you’re female and have a heartbeat, how could he NOT be anybody’s type?’ said contestant
Paul Merson finding ‘Strictly’ experience ‘really hard’
Paul Merson has made an admission about his participation on Strictly Come Dancing.
Days after the former Arsenal and England footballer performed an American Smooth to Fat Les song “Vindaloo”, Merson, who ended near the bottom of the leaderboard, said he was finding his time on the BBC show “really hard”. However, this is not due to the technicalities required to dance.
Find out more here:
Paul Merson says he’s finding Strictly ‘really hard’ after bizarre first dance
‘That’s the bit I find really hard,’ Merson said of BBC series detail
Meet JB Gill, the current ‘Strictly’ favourite
Following in the footsteps of his JLS bandmate Aston Merrygold, performer JB Gill is among the 15 celebrities taking part in this year’s 20th anniversary series of Strictly Come Dancing.
The 37-year-old rose to fame in 2008 with his boyband JLS, comprised of singers Oritse Williams, Marvin Humes and Merrygold. While the band formed in 2006, it was their performances on 2008’s edition of The X Factor that saw the group become a household name.
Find out more about the current leaderboard winner here:
Meet the JLS boyband member JB Gill taking on Strictly Come Dancing
‘One Shot’ singer will be swapping his microphone for ballroom shoes
‘Strictly’ judges to perform ‘avant garde’ dance
The BBC has revealed that the four Strictly judges will battle for a throne during an “avant garde gothic tango” alongside the show’s professional dancers.
Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke will participate in the dramatic performance on tomorrow night’s results show.
Nick Knowles says he’s had just ‘two days' to rehearse due to injury
Nick Knowles has confirmed he will perform on tonight’s Strictly after suffering an injury.
Earlier this week, the DIY SOS host hurt his shoulder, which has led him to have just two days of training ahead of his next performance.
On Saturday morning (28 September), he shared a video on Instagram, telling his fans: "On my way to the studios – this is show day. I’ve had two days to learn the dance as well as I possibly can. I promise to give it everything tonight and try and perform it well.
“Luba [Mushtuk] has worked her magic in choreographing something amazing. All I have to do now is perform it. It's been a tough week but I'm very excited to dance later this evening and don't worry about me, my shoulder's getting stronger every single day.”
He thanked his fans and said he “will try to do my best” for everyone who sent him support, acknowledging that he’s in danger of going home if he doesn’t perform well as he’s in the bottom four of the current leaderboard rolled over from last week.
Who is taking part in this year's ‘Strictly’?
There are 15 celebrities participating in this year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing – and you can find out everything you need to know about them, and which professional dancer they’re paired with, here:
Strictly Come Dancing 2024 couples – full list of celebrities and their partners
Meet the cast of 2024 – and their professional partners
One ‘Strictly’ couple has a ‘secret code'
Strictly Come Dancing professional Jowita Przystal has revealed the secret code that she and her dance partner Pete Wicks use in training sessions.
The Only Way is Essex star Wicks is competing in this year’s Strictly competition along 14 more celebrities vying for the glitterball trophy. He is partnered with Przystal, who has worked on the show since 2021.
Appearing on Wicks’s Staying Relevant podcast, which he co-presents with former Made in Chelsea star Sam Thompson, Przystal discussed her bond with Wicks – and said they instantly “connected” when they first met.
Read more here:
The ‘secret code’ Strictly star Pete Wicks has with partner Jowita Przystal
Pro dancer said pair instantly ‘connected’ when they met
‘Strictly’ star will perform despite arm injury
Nick Knowles suffered an arm injury this week, which threw his Strictly future into question.
However, it’s believed the 62-year-old DIY SOS presenter, who is currently competing on the show alongside professional dancer Luba Mushtuk, will perform tonight after doctors gave him permission.
A source told The Mirror: ”Nick and Luba’s attitude is very much that the show must go on, and they were thrilled when he was given the go ahead. They are even going to attempt a lift.
Find out more about what happened to Knowles here:
Nick Knowles shares health update as Strictly future remains uncertain
‘DIY SOS’ presenter is training for Saturday’s show with his arm in a sling
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments