Nick Knowles has said he is "disappointed" that DIY SOS has been rested by the BBC, but he understands the reasons behind the decision. The 64-year-old has fronted the programme since it began in 1999, and it emerged at the end of last week that bosses had decided to pause the show for now.
After 27 years, the BBC has admitted cost-cutting is behind the decision to bench the show for the foreseeable future. The former Strictly Come Dancing star has now spoken out on the matter.
Nick Knowles' statement on Instagram
Writing on Instagram, Knowles said: "You may have already seen the news that DIY SOS is being put on 'pause'. Of course, I'm disappointed not to be filming the show next year or again in the same format we know and love."
He added: "But I do understand there's no endless pot of money at the BBC and sometimes they have to make difficult decisions. Thank you for all the messages and comments over the weekend. It's so clear you share my sentiment and deep love for this show."
Reflecting on 26 years of the show
Knowles used the rest of his post to reflect on the help the programme has brought to thousands during its time on air and thanked everyone involved. He wrote: "For 26 years it's been an honour and a privilege to be part of DIY SOS and I've loved nothing more than making it. What I always come back to is that it's the people who are the beating heart of SOS."
He continued: "Over the years we've had thousands of tradespeople, suppliers and volunteers, all people trying to make their own living, who have shown up time and time again for the families who need it most. Kind, hardworking people and real working-class heroes coming together to build a better community. It really is the best of Britain and we need to see more of it on telly."
Knowles also said: "I've always put my head above the parapet for tradespeople and this industry I love and I'll keep doing that. But for now, I want to say thank you to every family for sharing their story with us over the last 26 years."
BBC confirms spin-off plans
Despite initial reports that the programme had been cancelled entirely, the BBC stressed that this is not the case. A BBC spokesperson said: "In light of the BBC's savings challenges we have taken the decision to rest DIY SOS in 2027 and commission a new spin off show instead from producers South Shore. DIY SOS Rebuilt My Life (w/t) will revisit successes from the show's past and expand the brand on the BBC in a more cost-effective way next year."
The comments come after sources claimed the show was to be cancelled altogether. A source told The Sun: "We were told it was being paused, but when we asked whether it would come back in 2028 or 2029 they couldn't give us an answer."
The source added: "It's a disgusting outrage that a BBC show, which genuinely helps some of the neediest people in our country, is being shut down because it's basically seen as 'too expensive'. DIY SOS is one of the few shows on television that genuinely represents working-class people. Thousands of tradesmen and women offer their time, and often the materials, for free to people in need, even when they're struggling to make ends meet themselves."
