‘NICK is NOT a player!’

Despite finding D success as the presenter of DIY SOS – a show he’s fronted for almost 20 years – Nick Knowles has become almost as famous for his turbulent love life.

The 55-year-old’s ex-wife Jessica Moor, 30 – who he split from in 2016 – accused him earlier this year of “emotional cruelty, abuse and eventually isolation” in a series of Tweets,

which Nick furiously denied. And Emmerdale actress Gemma Oaten – who he was spotted cuddling up to at the TV Choice Awards in September 2016 – said he became “cruel” and dropped her like “a ton of bricks” when their romance was exposed.

But speaking to Closer, Nick’s longtime friend Nicki Chapman insists his Lothario status couldn’t be further from the truth.

She says, “I think most people know Nick from DIY SOS and what you see on TV is how he is in real life – a very likeable, funny, kind, charismatic guy. He’s very bright, very capable and also very patient with others. He’s not a player and he’s not acting on TV either. What you see is what you get. He’s a perfect dinner party guest in my opinion. He’s been labelled as a Lothario but having known Nick as a friend for many years, that’s not the man I know.”

As for romances in the jungle, Nicki said Nick’s focus will be on forming friendships and making his children – daughter Tuesday, 25, and son Charlie, 24, with first wife Gillian and son Tyrian-j, 21, with beauty therapist Paula Beckett-vass – proud.

Nicki adds, “Nick wanted to go on the show for the whole ‘jungle’ experience and to be with other interesting people from different walks of life. He wants his children to be proud of him. He’ll no doubt make strong friendships with both men and woman.

“I think Nick is coming across in the jungle really well – he’s being himself. A team player, he naturally wants to make sure everyone is happy and likes other people’s company. As we’ve seen, he’s the master at getting things done! He doesn’t often sit still. My money is on Nick to win!”