BBC Strictly Come Dancing pro 'concerned' for Nick Knowles ahead of first live show

EXCLUSIVE: Nick Knowles has swapped DIY SOS for the dance floor as he prepares to show off his moves on Strictly Come Dancing's first live show this Saturday

A Strictly Come Dancing pro has admitted they're 'concerned' for Nick Knowles ahead of Saturday's first live show.

The DIY SOS star, 61, is partnered with professional dancer Luba Mushtuk on the show and he has admitted he's found training 'tough' as it's unlike anything he's done before.

And former Strictly pro, Erin Boag, who was on the show from 2004 to 2012, has admitted she's 'concerned' for Nick ahead of the first live show, pointing out it will be his 'hardest challenge yet'. Elsewhere, Erin, 49, shared her concerns for Toyah Willcox, suggesting she should have done the BBC One dancing series sooner.

Speaking on behalf of Spin Genie, Erin exclusively told WalesOnline: "There are a few that I'm slightly concerned about, mainly Nick Knowles. I’m a great fan of his show. I love all those house programmes, building houses, doing all that stuff, especially when you're going to have a tear or two."

The professional dancer added: "I'm a great fan of his work, but I think Strictly will be his hardest challenge yet. He's in safe hands with Luba but he is going to struggle."

Talking about Toyah, she continued: "Toyah is also going to struggle, and I mean this in the nicest way. I love her personality, but I'm not sure about her dancing. She's got a great personality, obviously a cool rock and roll background, but she said ‘I’ve been waiting for 20 years to say yes to this show’. Well, she should have done it sooner!

"She's got a world champion partner in Neil. It's great to see that he's actually got a partner, because he's been in it for quite a few times, and he's not always been given a partner, and he is a phenomenal choreographer, so I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do with her."

It comes as Nick appeared on Thursday's Lorraine to talk all things Strictly Come Dancing. He told host Lorraine Kelly of his time on the show so far: "Really tough to start with, if I'm being really honest, because I've never done anything like this before.

"I'm really sort of flat footed, rugby player for years, not really built for this kind of thing at all. But little bit by little bit Luba's getting me up on my toes, making all 18 stone of me a little bit lighter on my feet!"

Lorraine replied: "Well, you say 18 stone! You've lost a couple of stone before and you will lose more as the show goes on, that always happens when you're working so hard!" with Nick revealing: "I've lost about 13 kilos probably so far!"

He humorously added: "What I've done is I've taken all that and made a little person who runs around carrying my mobile phone behind me" with a giggling Lorraine commenting: "You've lost a person! You've lost a wee tiny person."

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 7pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.