Stacey Kilpatrick, a mother who appeared on DIY SOS, has spoken about how the show and its host, Nick Knowles, helped transform her family's life. Her comments follow the BBC's announcement about the programme's future.
Nick Knowles' emotional update
Nick Knowles recently shared an update with fans after the most recent series concluded. Viewers watched Nick, his team, and volunteers come together for what was described as the final time to help a family in need on Tuesday night, October 27.
Before the episode aired, Nick posted a video on Instagram that he admitted was "quite an emotional one." He said: "We have been told that the programme has been shelved, not ended."
He added: "But I have asked the question, will it ever come back in the form it is, where it builds whole houses for people or builds these great, big, hospices and charity places, and I've been told, no, if it comes back in the future, it'll be smaller, more cost-effective."
Stacey Kilpatrick's story
His video message was shared on BBC Breakfast on October 29. Hosts Charlie Stayt and Naga Munchetty confirmed the BBC's decision to 'rest' the programme for 2027.
Afterwards, they spoke to Stacey Kilpatrick, who appeared on the show last year with her daughter Isla, who has additional needs after being born with a rare genetic bone condition.
Asked about her life after being transformed by the DIY SOS team, she explained: "Firstly, it's emotional hearing Nick say that because he is a major part of it and he is, this isn't just a TV show to him."
She said: "He gets involved with the families, he takes on our stories. It was absolutely life-changing. It's not just a home that these guys help with, it's a situation that most families feel that they're really stuck in."
Impact on her daughter
Stacey explained that the changes DIY SOS made to her property enabled her daughter to simply 'be a 9-year-old child' by being able to run around and play games like hide and seek in her own home.
She added: "Simple things like being able to turn on a light switch, being able to open her bedroom door, getting into her own bed. Being able to brush her teeth. Just the normal things you would expect a 9-year-old to do around a normal home. She was unable to and now she can."
When asked about the BBC's statement citing cost challenges behind the decision, Stacey replied: "I think to cut this TV show would be absolutely heartbreaking to the whole of the UK. Families like myself kind of love the hope that maybe one day the show will come in and help in situations that we're in."
She added: "Yes, revisiting (the families) is great. To see the impact that the the show has had. Families need that hope when we're stuck in these situations. Sometimes there doesn't seem to be any other way out and I think it would be heartbreaking, for the whole of the UK for this show to be to be cut."
BBC Breakfast airs each day from 6.00am on BBC One and iPlayer. DIY SOS is streaming on BBC iPlayer.
