Strictly Come Dancing fans were left disappointed after finding out a spin-off show had been cut while Nick Knowles was nowhere to be seen at training on Wednesday.
The Official Podcast, a fan favourite since 2018 which discusses behind-the-scenes gossip, has been secretly axed by the BBC.
Hosted by Joe Sugg and Kim Winston the Official Strictly Come Dancing will not be returning for the 2024 series and it has not gone unnoticed by fans.
‘Has anyone found the Strictly podcast this year? Can’t find it on Sounds,’ one person asked on X.
Others added: ‘Hey Joe Sugg is the strictly podcast coming back this year’; ‘Can see why the strictly podcast was cut this year with all the extras precautions needed although can’t say Ive really missed it Ive discovered a few other fan podcasts too’
Strictly Come Dancing fans were left disappointed after finding out a spin-off show had been cut (Nick pictured two weeks ago)
Meanwhile the mystery surrounding DIY SOS star Nick Knowles deepened as he was nowhere to be seen at training on Wednesday
They continued: ‘I understand why the Strictly podcast hasn’t gone ahead this year with the cuts & stuff but it would have been nice if the BBC could have at least acknowledged it & thanked Kim & Joe for their hard work over the years recording it! I really enjoyed it & it’s a shame!’
Elsewhere, the mystery surrounding DIY SOS star Nick deepened as he seemingly missed training, with his co-stars Pete Wicks and Tasha Ghouri heading to the studio without him.
Fans have been left baffled over whether Nick will return to the show amid his injury.
The TV personality – who is paired with pro Luba Mushtuk – missed out on last Saturday’s Movie Week due to a shoulder problem, before falling and injuring his knee during rehearsals.
And now he has not been included in the list of this week’s songs and dances that are always announced the Wednesday before the next live show.
Heading to rehearsals on Wednesday, Tasha was joined by Aljaz Skorjanec, while Pete and Jowita Przystał arrived at the studio.
Also in attendance was Jamie Borthwick who carried a Nandos for him and his dance partner Michelle Tsiakkas.
Nick was missing but the show’s Instagram page did say however: ‘We will update with more news on Nick when we have it.’
The Official Podcast, a fan favourite since 2018 which discusses behind-the-scenes gossip, has been secretly axed by the BBC
Hosted by Joe Sugg and Kim Winston the Official Strictly Come Dancing will not be returning for the 2024 series and it has not gone unnoticed by fans
Elsewhere, the mystery surrounding DIY SOS star Nick deepened as he seemingly missed training, with his co-stars Pete Wicks and Tasha Ghouri heading to the studio without him
Tasha wore a bright yellow trench coat while waving at the cameras
She was joined by Aljaz Skorjanec, who looked stylish a dog tooth jacket
Also in attendance was Jamie Borthwick who carried a Nandos for him and his dance partner Michelle Tsiakkas
Pete’s professional partner Jowita Przystał flashed a smile as she arrived at training
Michelle looked ready to rehearse in a sporty cropped bra top and leggings
In accordance with BBC rules the couples can only miss one week due to injury and then they must leave the competition. The BBC have been contacted by MailOnline for comment.
Fans wrote under the post: ‘Can we assume Nick isn’t dancing again then? Is he off now :(.’,
‘If Nick’s not coming back Tom Dean best come back or I will march up to Elstree.’,
‘Nick not coming bk.’, ‘No Nick?!’, ‘Nick so sad.’
It comes after he revealed details about his knee injury after being left on crutches and forced to pull out of Saturday’s show.
Appearing on spin-off series It Takes Two alongside partner Luba Mushtuk last Friday, just hours after hurting himself, he said: ‘During our first rehearsal, our dress rehearsal today on the stage,’
‘Unfortunately I damaged my knee and it’s quite painful, so the physios have decided I need to go for a MRI.’
While Luba added: ‘Unfortunately we will not be dancing tomorrow but we really, really hope that the knee will be better for next week and we’ll be back on the dancefloor’.
‘Fingers crossed, we really hope that we’ll be back and see you guys very soon.’
But looking on the bright side Nick quipped: ‘Even if we have to glitter up the crutches, I am determined to get back and try and dance for you next week.’
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a type of scan that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of the inside of the body.
It came after Strictly fans were left fuming after Nick was given a free pass to the next show, branding the decision ‘unfair’.
BBC bosses confirmed in a statement that ‘as per the show’s rules’ Nick and Luba would be given a ‘bye through’ to next week, however fans were left furious at the thought of another couple being voted off on Sunday.
Meanwhile, fans have been left baffled over whether Nick will return to the show amid his injury (pictured with pro partner Luba Mushtuk)
And now he has not been included in the list of this week’s songs and dances that are always announced the Wednesday before the next live show
The other celebrities’ dances were revealed including Wynne and Katya who will dance to an ABBA tune
Fans wrote under the post: ‘Can we assume Nick isn’t dancing again then? Is he off now :(‘
It comes after he revealed details about his knee injury after being left on crutches and forced to pull out of Saturday’s show
Strictly fans were left fuming after Nick was given a free pass to the next week’s show after they confirmed in a statement that ‘as per the show’s rules’ the couple would be given a ‘bye through’
Fans took to social media so slam the show’s ‘unfair’ decision
Taking to Instagram they wrote: ‘I say… he should quit now…it’s not fair on any of the others’: ‘I think if they can’t dance due to injury they should pull out’.
‘Looks like #NickKnowles will NOT be dancing on this weekend #Strictly. As per normal with the rules – they will be given a free pass for next Saturday. Do I like these rules? No, I’ve always said, if you miss a week – you should automatically be off the show’.
‘Surely then no one should go home as it’s unfair that someone goes home this week when someone gets a free pass due to injury as this happens most years’: ‘If he doesn’t come back, that’s 3 person final, if we lose someone this week. As its early, let them all stay. Who knows what other injuries we will get’.
Meanwhile other fans demanded Olympian Tom Dean, who waltzed off the show in the first week in a decision branded ‘bizarre and wrong’, to return in Nick’s place.
Saying: ‘Bring back Tom!’: ‘Bring back Tom then to take his place after he was disgracefully and wrongly evicted last week!’: ‘Maybe we should get @tomdean00 back to do another week’.
Nick later broke his silence and took to social media sharing a snap of the BBC’s statement and wrote: ‘I’m absolutely gutted and feeling very very sad’.
The BBC’s statement read: ‘Nick Knowles has a bye to next week due to injury hope he is better for next weekend but they will still send someone home this weekend which isn’t fair I think if someone has a bye to next week they should let all the celebrities have a second chance next week’
A source also told The Sun at the time: ‘Nick won’t be able to take part in Strictly tomorrow night after hurting his knee. He was in a dress rehearsal and with his partner Luba Mushtuk when he did a jump and landed awkwardly.
‘Nick has hurt his knee and is having to use crutches to get around now. It is such a devastating blow for him and he is being supported by the Strictly team.
‘They are sending him for scans and are doing everything they can to make sure he is okay. Nick had to fight to make sure he could take part in the first live show after hurting his arm and shoulder and he did so well.
‘This new injury has been a real blow and he is incredibly upset about it.’
Nick later broke his silence sharing a snap of the BBC’s statement and wrote: ‘I’m absolutely gutted and feeling very very sad’
Meanwhile other fans demanded Olympian Tom Dean, who waltzed off the show in the first week in a decision branded ‘bizarre and wrong’, to return in Nick’s place
Just last week, Nick was left sweating over his place after sustaining the injury while changing a tyre when his car broke down as he drove to his 62nd birthday last week.
Taking to Instagram Nick said: ‘On my way to the studios, this is show day. I’ve had the 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, [pro partner] 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, shoulder getting stronger every single day’.
‘Thank you for all your wishes of support and all the love that’s been sent and remember, I’m in the bottom four because of last week. If I don’t dance well tonight I could be in trouble so please vote to keep me and Luba in the competition!’.
Nick was given the green light from show bosses, a decision strengthened by his popularity among viewers, and returned to dance in week two, when he scored 21 points out of 40.
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.’
STRICTLY LINE-UP 2024
Chris McCausland
Age: 46
Profession: Comedian
Chris says: ‘If anybody out there is thinking – How the hell is he going to do that? – then rest assured that I am thinking exactly the same thing.’
Dr. Punam Krishan
Age: Unknown
Profession: GP and broadcaster
Punam says: ‘I have watched Strictly every year and it feels extra special that it’s the 20th year, I can’t believe I will be the one getting Strictly-fied.’
Toyah Willcox
Age: 66
Profession: Singer, actor, presenter
Toyah says: ‘I’m super excited and love this show. To be a part of it, the spray tan the glitter. Its a landmark year for me I came a pensioner, Glasto and now I get spray tans.’
Pete Wicks
Age: 36
Profession: Reality star
Pete says: ‘Dancing live in front of the nation every Saturday? Absolutely terrifying.’
Shayne Ward
Age: 39
Profession: Actor and singer
Shayne says: ‘I’m no stranger to live TV, but dancing Latin and Ballroom in front of millions is a whole new level.’
Tom Dean
Age: 24
Profession: Olympic medal winning swimmer
Tom says: ‘Now I can officially talk about how excited I am to get stuck into something new, meet some brilliant people and get dancing’
Nick Knowles
Age: 61
Profession: TV presenter
Nick says: ‘I am going to really go for it I will throw myself at it 100 per cent!’
Montell Douglas
Age: 38
Profession: Former Team GB Olympian and current Gladiator
Montell says: ‘Hopefully a few of my Gladiator moves will come in handy with the Tango or Paso Doble!’
JB Gill
Age: 37
Profession: Singer
JB says: ‘A lot of the ballroom styles are very alien to me – I didn’t do those dances growing up. I am not a trained dancer.’
Wynne Evans
Age: 52
Profession: Opera singer, presenter
Wynne says: ‘The stuff I’m nervous about is the ones that involve jumping, I don’t really want to do the jive, I’m nervous about that.
Tasha Ghouri
Age: 25
Profession: Model and reality star
Tasha says: ‘I’ve been watching the show since I was little – it’s a firm Ghouri family favourite – so this is a total dream come true.’
Sarah Hadland
Age: 53
Profession: Actress
Sarah says: ‘I feel particularly excited to be part of such an iconic show in its 20th year.’
Jamie Borthwick
Age: 30
Profession: EastEnders star
Jamie says: ‘I had a ball doing the Christmas special, so when I was asked to join it was the easiest yes!’
Sam Quek
Age: 35
Profession: Former GB hockey player and presenter
Sam says: ‘I am so relieved it is out there now it has been hard to keep a secret! The rumours were spreading and I had to lie! I am used to dancing on a girls night out but I will give it my all’
Paul Merson
Age: 56
Profession: Former footballer
Paul says: ‘I won’t worry about it until it starts but when it does I will be nervous – I have only danced three times in my life!’
