Nick Knowles has confirmed that DIY SOS will return to screens despite his temporary absence from television. The 63-year-old presenter is stepping back to care for his wife, Katie Dadzie, who requires another major operation following a health emergency last year.
Wife's Health Crisis
Katie Dadzie, 36, was rushed to hospital in October 2025 with a ruptured cervix, a complication that occurred just 12 weeks after she had undergone a hysterectomy. She now faces another significant surgery. Knowles stated that supporting her recovery is his top priority, but the show is not ending.
Production Schedule
Speaking to the Daily Express at the TRIC Awards, Knowles explained that the production schedule allows him time off. “We shot 12 programmes last year, so six went out in the autumn and there's six coming up this autumn,” he said. “We start again, I presume, fairly soon. In the meantime, I've got a bit of space because we did so many in such a short time. I've got space to do other things. It's not a break but a bigger space than I normally get.”
Show's Longevity
Knowles, who has fronted the BBC series since its debut in 1999, admitted that no one expected it to last. “We got to the end of the first series of six and thought that would be it. How many jokes can you make about building is what we thought. Amazingly, it's carrying on,” he said.
Emotional Impact
Reflecting on the show's emotional moments, Knowles struggled to pick a single standout. “There are hundreds of moments that stand out for being emotional. How do you pick?” he said. “Putting a garden on the top of Great Ormond Street for kids that are up there, building a street for homeless veterans, or building at Grenfell after the fire. How do you pick between them? They're all just incredible.”
Enduring Appeal
The presenter highlighted the show's message of community. “We've been lucky enough to work with amazing people and for amazing people over the years and I think the programme, at the moment, when you see everybody come together to do something who couldn't get out of a situation any other way, is a really lovely message to put out there: If we all work together, we can do better stuff.”
DIY SOS is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
