People called me a gold digger for dating Nick Knowles, says Katie Dadzie as she reveals battle with racist trolls
MY first experience of love – or at least a serious crush – happened at school when I was 15.
After falling for an Emo boy in the year above, I thought I’d genuinely found The One.
His dark hair and stubble made him look like he belonged in a band, which was ideal really, considering my bedroom walls were plastered with boy-band posters.
He had the “mature” thing going for him and it helped that all the other girls thought he was gorgeous.
Eventually, our mundane MSN chat – which largely consisted of moaning about our parents and discussing Fall Out Boy – ran dry and I realised we weren’t all that compatible.
Teen crushes are one thing, but when it comes to feeling loved and secure, those are feelings I’ve only really experienced in my 30s, after meeting my partner Nick [Knowles, 62, DIY SOS presenter].
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We connected through our children back in 2021 [Katie is Mum to Savannah, 10, and Alex, six, while Nick has four children, aged 10 to 28], later having our first date at a cafe in Maidenhead.
As a shy person, I was surprised when our chat flowed, discussing everything from my family to work.
We dated for two years while we lived apart – Nick in Cheltenham and me in Windsor – before moving in together when my kids felt settled with him.
Nick is a big personality who loves to talk, but I’ve learned there’s “TV Nick” and “Home Nick”.
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When he’s at home, he’s thoughtful, buying flowers and making endless cups of tea.
He also does a great slow-cooked beef massaman curry – his love language is cooking.
During our relationship, Nick’s boundaries have come down.
Initially, he was worried about being in another relationship, because he’s in the public eye.
One of the hardest things we’ve faced as a couple has been hurtful comments, including nasty Instagram messages calling me a gold digger and others pointing out when I’ve put on weight.
There have been racist comments, too, saying I looked like I’d been soaked in creosote wood stain.
As someone who suffers from anxiety, it really affected my self-confidence.
I’d say to myself: “Look how hideous I look.”
This invasiveness made me question our relationship.
In the first few years together, I’d think: “I don’t want to do this any more,” and call things off, refusing to put myself in the unfair position where I’d get ripped apart just because I’m dating Nick.
So we’ve had our ups and downs, and, sometimes, I’ve needed space.
Still, we’ve always made our way back together.
Ultimately, we both love each other.
That’s why it was so easy to say “yes” when Nick asked me to marry him when we were in New Orleans last year.
Though I’d dropped hints, it was still a surprise when he presented me with a ring – fashioned from Haribo Tangfastics!
We haven’t set a wedding date yet, but I’ve been busy looking at dresses.
Watching a smiling Nick compete on Strictly Come Dancing was lovely, especially knowing how hard he worked.
He was petrified at the start, worried he wouldn’t remember the dances, but he did it.
How ‘rugged’ Nick Knowles became Britain’s most controversial heartthrob
Nick Knowles, 62, might not be your typical heartthrob, but the DIY SOS star has certainly charmed his way into the hearts of many women. Despite his workaholic ways and struggles with flat-pack furniture, Nick's love life is nothing short of eventful.
He first tied the knot with Gillian, mum to his two eldest kids, Tuesday, 26, and Charlie, 27. After their split, he had a son with beauty therapist Paula Beckett-Vass. In 2000, he dated TV presenter Suzi Perry, and later married Jessica Moor, with whom he shares son Edwin. Despite claiming in 2018 that he was done with dating, he's now engaged to lingerie business owner Katie Dadzi, 33.
Relationship guru Annabelle Knight spilled the beans on Nick’s surprising appeal: his charm, confidence, and rugged looks.
She told Fabulous: “With his dad bod and divorces, he’s no David Beckham.
“But Nick’s seen as attractive for several reasons - he’s got charm, confidence, and rugged looks which are all key factors.
“Nick has a natural charm and wit, which can be very appealing.
“His stint on I’m A Celeb showed his ability to connect with people, and with his work on shows like DIY SOS, where he helps transform people’s lives, highlights his compassionate side, something that most people find attractive.”
He’s become healthier too, losing 3lb a week [before getting injured and then becoming the third celebrity to be voted off]. I wasn’t concerned about the Strictly Curse, and it didn’t even cross his mind.
He was in there to learn, and when he’d come home knackered, all he wanted was for it to be just us.
When it comes to relationships, I want to know I’m supported.
Yes, I like having dinner cooked for me, but I also love knowing Nick’s got my back – that makes me feel secure.
Still, there’s no debate over who’s the most needy of the two of us – I message and call first, but I think that’s because I’m considerate.
These days, I’m better at dealing with the trolling. I’ll block strangers and Nick’s always empathetic if I’m upset about it.
When you meet someone who’s on TV, you have to contend with your preconceptions of what they’ll be like.
That’s exactly what I did – and I’m all the better for it.
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I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, and for the first time, I feel loved.
- Katie runs Boaboawear.com. Follow @Katie.dadzie on Instagram
- Words by Anna Clarke