NICK Knowles has opened up about his romance with girlfriend Katie Katie Dadzie – and shared the biggest challenge that they have faced so far.
The DIY SOS presenter, 60, said he often spends months working abroad on TV projects, meaning he and Kate, 33, struggle to fit in quality time together when they are living miles apart.
But the couple admitted that the distance hasn’t put a strain on their relationship.
Speaking exclusively to The Sun about his blossoming romance, Nick said: “It’s great, probably the biggest difficulty at the moment is that a lot of my work is doing adventure programmes and travel programmes, so I was away for about a third of last year and it looks like I’m going to be away for most of this year.
But the couple said that the distance has not affected their relationship – saying they try to strike the right balance.
“Kate is very busy with her own businesses and she’s got her own kids and I’ve got my little boy,” the TV presenter explained.
“So we make space for each other.
“We have our own projects going on as well and I think that helps in a relationship to have your own interests and own business interests.
“We don’t often get a night out like this.”
“Katie has come out and joined me on a couple of trips when possible.
“But when you have as busy lifestyles as we do, a night on the sofa and a takeaway is just as important. We both love to cook, almost as competitive.”
Despite recent rumours that the pair may have taken their relationship to the next level, Nick confirmed that they are not engaged just yet.
“We will wait and see, we don’t really talk about our relationship that much – but we will wait and see,” he said at the Kindling premiere in London on Wednesday.
The pair have been together since 2019 and have faced social media trolling over their age-gap.
But Nick hit back at the criticism and said he and Katie now ignore the comments.
“People are getting to learn more about Katie, the trolling doesn’t matter,” Nick said.
Katie added: “I’m getting better at ignoring it – I don’t read them. Initially I did and that was a big mistake and now I’ve stopped.”
Nick previously opened up to The Sun about the negativity he had received online.
He said: “I get upset when they come for people that I care about.
“Normally I never comment back to the trolls, but on one occasion when people were a little bit judgmental, I was angry on Katie’s behalf.
“I chose to be on telly so I kind of expect it for me, but for people I care about they shouldn’t have to deal with it.
“I’m protective of Katie, because people make assumptions about her without knowing anything about her, so that’s why I spoke.”
The couple attended the film premiere of Kindling on Wednesday night.
Kindling, is a poignant British celebration of friendship, based on true events.
It follows a group of young men who return to their hometown to turn their friend Sid’s final summer into a celebration of life, love and friendship while facing mortality
Kindling is made and released in partnership with Movember, and is out at cinemas nationwide and digitally on 21st April.
