23 January 2023 , 16:13
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Nick Knowles has spoken about his age-gap romance with girlfriend Katie Dadzie for the first time and hit out at the ignorant trolls who choose to attack her.
The 59-year-old DIY SOS star is all loved up with the 32-year-old - but some have decided to slate the pair on social media.
Father-of-four Nick says he accepts the stick that comes his way because he decided to live a life in the spotlight.
But he says any abuse directed towards Katie is not on - and he says nobody should make assumptions for a very good reason.
Nick and Katie have been dating since late 2019 as things continue to heat up between them.
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Nick Knowles and Katie Dadzie have been an item since 2019 (Getty Images)
But some have decided to abuse the pair on social media (@katie.dadzie/Instagram)He has previously defended his girlfriend after vicious twitter bullies branded her a 'gold digger' after noting the 27-year age gap between the pair.
The mother-of-two and business owner has had to fend off barbs since they went public and he says it's time it stopped.
"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," she told The Sun.
"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.
Nick says he can deal with the comments but won't allow his girlfriend to suffer (@katie.dadzie/Instagram)"I'm protective of Katie, because people make assumptions about her without knowing anything about her, so that's why I spoke."
His comments came after her earlier hit out at trolls who accused Katie of being with him for his money - despite the fact that she’s actually more successful than he is.
He wrote a furious response of Twitter, beginning: “I’m raging."
“The woman I was out to dinner with when we were papped is 32, has degrees in two subjects, runs 3 businesses, is a mother of 2, is wealthier & more successful than me & is intelligent & independent unlike the abusive trolls attacking her.”
Nick was married to his first wife Gillian, from 1995 until 2000 and then moved on to date TV presenter Suzi Perry from 2000 until 2003.
He then married Jessica Moore – who is 26-years his junior, battled cancer in 2016, and welcomed a son named Eddie with the TV star.
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Their marriage began in 2012, but ended in 2016 – with Nick later moving on to date PR expert Emily Hallinan before splitting with her in 2020 and then moving on to Katie.