Nick Knowles 'dumped soap star like a stone' and changed completely after photo emerged

Nick Knowles is preparing to walk down the aisle for a third time after announcing his engagement to Katie Dadzie, but the DIY SOS host has had a chequered love life over the years

Strictly Come Dancing star Nick Knowles “dumped soap star like a stone” and changed completely after photo emerged, his ex-girlfriend has claimed.

The DIY SOS host began dating Emmerdale actress Gemma Oaten after meeting at the TV Choice awards in September 2016, following his break-up from second wife Jessica Moor. Nick then took Gemma, best known for playing Rachel Breckle from 2011 until 2015 on the ITV soap, for dinner the following night, and later whisked her to Edinburgh for a romantic break.

However, when pictures emerged of Gemma and Nick cuddled up outside the TV Choice awards, with the TV star even sweetly holding the Emmerdale star’s high heels as she wore his suit jacket to keep warm, he began to change. Gemma recalled being in bed with Nick when they were messaged by friends and family after the photos were published online and in the newspapers.

“One Sunday morning we were lying in bed and all these texts came through about us being photographed together,” she told The Mirror. “In an instant, he completely changed. It was all about him and how it was going to affect his family. It was really cruel as he said it didn’t matter for me. I felt sick.”

Nick had only been separated from Jessica for a short time, and Gemma was devastated that he broke off their relationship and went back to his estranged wife. “I said, ‘Do you want to throw away what we have? We have done nothing wrong’. But he just dropped me like a ton of bricks. I thought it was a real relationship and he wasn’t afraid to let others know.”

She said her brief romance with Nick has “haunted me ever since”, and she was upset to be branded as a homewrecker. “My name seems to get dragged through the mud a lot in relationships and it always seems to be the woman that gets tarnished with that awful brush,” she sadly shared. Gemma admitted the experience taught her a valuable lesson, and made her more wary of being so open with men she dates.

“The experience with Nick knocked my confidence and I’ve learned to keep my guard up since dating him. My friends tell me I always wear my heart on my sleeve and I’m too trusting. Now when I go on dates I don’t reveal as much about myself. From an upsetting ordeal I’ve learned a positive lesson,” Gemma confidently explained. “It was upsetting and hurtful, but it hasn’t put me off men. It’s been nearly six months, but my confidence is finally back. In a way I’m kind of grateful.”

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