Nick Knowles became emotional as he explained how DIY SOS will be changing after more than 25 years at the helm of the BBC construction programme. The TV star, 64, has fronted the show since it began in 1999, but it emerged at the end of last week that bosses had decided to pull the programme for now.
After 27 years, the BBC has admitted cost-cutting methods are behind the decision to bench the show for the foreseeable future. Now the former Strictly Come Dancing star has hinted at what it might look like when it eventually returns to screens.
What Nick Knowles said about the show's future
Speaking in a new video posted to Instagram, he said: "Hello, everyone. It's Nick Knowles here, and I'm just sat on my driveway about to head off to the gym. And I just wanted to tell you that tonight on BBC One is the last in the current series of DIY SOS. Another lovely build, another lovely community coming together to make a difference for somebody. This is quite an emotional one for us obviously, because there's so much sort of doubt and confusion around the future."
He explained that the show will be 'more cost-effective' when it does return: "We have been told that the programme has been shelved, not ended. 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."
An emotional farewell to fans
Nick concluded his message to his fans by thanking everyone for their support as he addressed the "end of an era" that is the last episode of the current series, which aired on Tuesday night. He added: "If you've ever been on a DIY SOS, and there are something like 26,000 of you that 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. 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."
He went on: "And to all the families that we helped, we love you, too. Got to know you all really well. It's been the most extraordinary experience. And there's other work to go on to and other things to do, but nothing will ever quite be like DIY SOS. So, tonight, BBC One, 8:00 p.m., last in the current series."
BBC confirms new spin-off show
Despite initial reports that the programme had been cancelled entirely, the BBC were keen to stress 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 all together. 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." They went on: "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."
