Nick Knowles has brushed off viewers’ surprise reactions to his ‘unrecognisable’ new look, admitting he is ‘a bit overweight’ compared to other ‘super-fit stars.’

The DIY SOS star, 61, has been showing his adventurous side in a new travel series, which sees him follow the route of the mighty Mississippi River.

And in a new interview with The Mirror, Nick admitted that it’s ‘no great surprise’ his appearance has changed after reaching his 60s.

He said: ‘There are lots of people making adventure programmes and a lot of them, like Bear Grylls, are young, they’re super fit.

‘I’m 61 now and it’s no great surprise that I’m a bit overweight. Even putting on a wetsuit and appearing on telly… you can’t worry.’

Nick Knowles has brushed off viewers’ surprise reactions to his ‘unrecognisable’ new look, admitting he is ‘a bit overweight’ compared to other ‘super-fit stars’

In a new interview, Nick admitted that it’s ‘no great surprise’ his appearance has changed after reaching his 60s (pictured in January 2023)

Nick jokingly added: ‘If I laid down on a beach, Greenpeace would try to drag me back into the water.’

In the interview, Nick added he’s vowed to embrace a more adventurous lifestyle while filming a show in Patagonia.

He said: ‘I met a chap who cycled from Mexico down to the bottle of Argentina. He said to me, ”You shouldn’t have to wait for a terminal diagnosis to go and make the most of your life”. You’ll be amazed at what you’re capable of if you push yourself. You can’t worry about what you look like or failing.’

The star had previously stunned viewers with a radical new look while appearing on The One Show to promote his new Channel 5 show.

Host Alex Jones said: ‘There’s an elephant in the room here. Nobody’s talking about it. There’s a new look, Nick, going on well.’

Broadcaster Nick explained he’d been working on some writing projects and has been off camera, and so has been free to grow his facial hair as he wishes.

He explained: ‘I’m not actually doing any filming for a while. I’m doing some writing and things and so I had the chance to grow a beard… I can’t have a beard like this when I’m filming.’

Viewers took to social media after spotting a bearded Nick on television, with one person writing on Twitter: ‘What happened to Nick Knowles he’s unrecognisable.’

Nick (pictured on I’m A Celebrity in 2018), said: ‘I’m 61 now and it’s no great surprise that I’m a bit overweight. Even putting on a wetsuit and appearing on telly… you can’t worry’

The DIY SOS star has been showing his adventurous side in a new travel series, which sees him follow the route of the mighty Mississippi River

Someone else shared: ‘If I hadn’t heard his voice I’m not sure I’d have recognised that man as Nick Knowles. He looked totally different and not just the beard.’

‘Nick Knowles is totally unrecognisable,’ wrote another viewer, while someone else asked: ‘What on earth has happened to Nick Knowles?’

‘Nick Knowles. What a transformation,’ posted another viewer.

While someone else remarked: ‘Didn’t recognise Nick Knowles.’

Some viewers were impressed with Nick’s look, with one person writing: ‘Nick Knowles looking incredibly well at 62. So what if he’s put on a bit of weight and grown a beard? At least he hasn’t pumped his face full of botox.’

While someone else insisted: ‘Loving Nick Knowles new bearded look.’

‘Nick Knowles is trending, and let’s be honest he’s looking very good, approaching his 62nd year,’ wrote another viewer.

While someone else shared: ‘Someone has entered their Papa Bear era and, I fully support it.’ 

On Monday, Nick was branded ‘unrecognisable’ by viewers when he showed off his new look, with the star admitting he’d taken advantage of a break from his presenting work

Nick and his fiancée Katie Dadzie looked smitten as they posed for loved-up snaps on the red carpet at the TV Choice Awards 2024 earlier this month.

Nick shared the happy news of his engagement on Instagram last summer.

Sex toy business owner Katie, who is 27 years Nick’s junior, looked delighted in a series of snaps, which included Nick proposing while down on one knee. 

Another picture saw her grinning from ear-to-ear as she showed off the ring Nick had given her which was in fact a gummy sweet.