Television presenter Nick Knowles was visibly moved during the latest emotional episode of DIY SOS, which focused on the closure of a vital local youth club. The BBC One show, which aired on Tuesday 30 December, saw the 63-year-old host fighting back tears after a heartfelt conversation with a community member.
A Personal Connection to Community Struggle
Speaking to a local woman, Nick learned how the Cherry Tree Youth Club in Beverley had been a lifeline during her younger years before being converted into a food pantry. "I don't know where I would be if I didn't come to the youth club; it opened so many opportunities for me," she told him. Her words struck a deep chord with Knowles, who shared his own background growing up in a similarly underestimated area.
"I grew up in a place like this, the kind of place that people say, 'Oh, don't bother building anything nice there, it will just get destroyed,'" he responded emotionally. "You have to build stuff in tough places, you have to make a difference to change..." Choking up, he rallied the team and volunteers, declaring they would change the futures of local young people.
Transforming an Empty Field into a Beacon of Hope
True to the DIY SOS mission, Nick and the team, supported by Gladiators stars, volunteers, and the organisation YOR4Good, worked their magic. They transformed an empty field into a brand new, fully-equipped youth club for the community. The project underscored the critical need for safe spaces where young people can gather and find support.
The chairman of the YOR4Good panel confirmed the hub's immediate positive impact, stating: "This has created a vibrant, safe space for local young people to meet and benefit from the facilities available at the hub. We have already witnessed the positive impact this group has on young people's lives." The Cherry Tree Youth Club involved in the special was originally launched in 2016.
Why This Build Broke the Presenter's Composure
In a separate appearance on ITV's This Morning with hosts Craig Doyle and Siân Welby, Nick revealed this particular project affected him more than any other in the show's 26-year history. He explained that while he usually maintains composure to keep the focus on the families and charities, "this one actually got me."
He became emotional discussing the charity's battle to provide for children with few other options. "You become so emotionally involved in it, you can't help it," he said, his voice breaking. He praised the hundreds of volunteers who give up days of work and pay to make these projects happen, calling it a reminder of the strong community spirit that exists beneath the surface.
DIY SOS is available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.
