BBC presenter Nick Knowles was visibly emotional as he launched what he described as the "most challenging" project yet for the popular show DIY SOS.
A Vital Haven Lost, A New Build Begins
The mission, broadcast on Tuesday, 30 December 2025, saw the team race against time to help a youth club in Beverley, East Yorkshire. The Cherry Tree Community Centre had long been a crucial safe space for local young people, but it was repurposed as a food hub during the pandemic, leaving children without their vital support network.
Facing another tough winter, the community faced losing the facility for good. In response, Knowles, designer Gabrielle Blackman, and the regular DIY SOS experts mobilised an army of local tradespeople. Their goal was to construct a brand new, purpose-built youth centre on the edge of a local park.
Gladiators Join the Community Effort
The build received star-powered support from the new generation of Gladiators stars. Jodie Ounsley (Fury), Tom Wilson (Hammer), Lystus Ebosele (Cyclone), and Jamie Christian-Johal (Giant) all rolled up their sleeves to contribute to the massive community effort.
Knowles' Personal Connection Sparks Emotional Moment
Just before work commenced, host Nick Knowles fought back tears while addressing the volunteers. He revealed a deep personal connection to the project, having grown up on a similar estate himself.
"I grew up in a place like this. The kind of places that people say, 'Oh, don't bother building anything nice there, it will just get destroyed,'" he shared with the crowd.
"You have to build stuff in tough places, you have to make a difference," Knowles continued, pausing as he was overcome with emotion. The supportive audience broke into applause, prompting him to add: "I didn't expect it to get me. You will make this happen, you will change the futures of young people round here with what we're about to do."
The episode highlights the ongoing need for community spaces and the powerful impact of collective action, demonstrating how a television build can deliver real-world hope and opportunity for a generation.
