Strictly bosses are reportledy fearing that Nick Knowles could be forced to quit the competition for good after he pulled out from Saturday's show due to injury. 

The DIY SOS star, 62, will miss out on Movie Week just a week after his future on the show was thrown into doubt due to a shoulder problem, before falling and injuring  his knee during rehearsals.

During his appearance on Friday's It Takes Two Nick revealed he was awaiting an MRI and being forced to use crutches, but in accordance with the rules would be given a free pass to perform next week. 

A source told The Mirror: 'The fact he is getting scans shows just how serious this is. There is only so much time they can give him to recover'.

'Nick is a popular guy and losing him so early in the competition would be a blow to the show's ratings too.

'It doesn't look great at the moment so everyone is just hoping the outlook is better after the weekend.'

MailOnline have contacted BBC for comment. 

Appearing on the spin-off series alongside partner Luba Mushtuk just hours after hurting himself, Nick 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 comes after Strictly fans were left fuming after Nick was given a free pass to next week's 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. 

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 waltz off the show last 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'.

This is far from the first time Strictly stars have battled nasty injuries during their time on the show, with Zara McDermott suffering a nasty leg fracture last year, but she decided to plough on and perform.

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.

EXPLAINED: MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING USED MAGNETIC FIELDS TO SEE INSIDE THE BODY

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.

An MRI scanner is a large tube that contains powerful magnets. You lie inside the tube during the scan.

An MRI scan can be used to examine almost any part of the body, including the brain and spinal cord, bones and joints, breasts, heart and blood vessels and internal organs - such as the liver, womb or prostate gland. 

The results of an MRI scan can be used to help diagnose conditions, plan treatments and assess how effective previous treatment has been.

Most of the human body is made up of water molecules, which consist of hydrogen and oxygen atoms. At the centre of each hydrogen atom is an even smaller particle, called a proton. Protons are like tiny magnets and are very sensitive to magnetic fields.

When you lie under the powerful scanner magnets, the protons in your body line up in the same direction, in the same way that a magnet can pull the needle of a compass.

Short bursts of radio waves are then sent to certain areas of the body, knocking the protons out of alignment. When the radio waves are turned off, the protons realign. This sends out radio signals, which are picked up by receivers.

These signals provide information about the exact location of the protons in the body. They also help to distinguish between the various types of tissue in the body, because the protons in different types of tissue realign at different speeds and produce distinct signals.

In the same way that millions of pixels on a computer screen can create complex pictures, the signals from the millions of protons in the body are combined to create a detailed image of the inside of the body.