Nick Knowles has spoken emotionally about the future of DIY SOS after the BBC confirmed the show will be rested in 2027 as part of cost-cutting measures. The presenter, 64, admitted he is struggling with the uncertainty surrounding the programme after 26 years on screen.
In a video filmed on his driveway ahead of the latest episode, Knowles told fans that the current series was ending as the BBC prepares changes to its schedule. He said the decision had left him more emotional than expected, given his two decades helping families and communities.
Knowles: 'End of an era'
Knowles said: "I just wanted to tell you that tonight on BBC One is the last in the current series of DOSOS, another lovely build, another lovely community, coming together to make a difference for somebody."
He added: "This is quite an emotional one for us, obviously, because there's so much sort of doubt and confusion around the future. We have been told that the program's been shelved and not ended, but I have asked the question, will it ever come back in the form where it builds whole houses for people, or builds these great big, you know, hospices and charity places, and I've been told, No, if it comes back in the future, it'll be smaller, more cost effective."
Knowles continued: "And if you've ever been on a DIY SOS, and there are some, like, 26,000 of you who have, you'll know that you can't really do that smaller. It is what it is. It helps people out who can't be helped by anybody else. So, yeah, it's kind of the end of an era, and I thought I'd be okay with that, but actually, it's a little bit emotional."
Thanks to volunteers and suppliers
Knowles thanked everyone who contributed over the years, including volunteers, tradespeople, and suppliers who donated materials. He said: "I'd like to thank everybody that we've worked with for the last 26 years, if you volunteered, if you're a tradesperson, if you're a supplier and you supplied all the stuff for free, love you all, it's been an honour to work with you all. We've loved every minute of it, and it's all the families that we helped. We love you, too. Got to know you all really well. It's been the most extraordinary experience."
He concluded: "And there's other work to go on to, and other things to do, but nothing will ever quite be like DIY SOS."
Schedule change and spin-off
DIY SOS will make way for MasterChef: The Professionals in BBC One's Tuesday night slot. The cooking competition, presented by Marcus Wareing and Monica Galetti, will see chefs face demanding challenges.
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 planned spin-off, currently titled DIY SOS Rebuilt My Life, will revisit memorable projects and the people whose lives were changed by the renovations.
