BBC DIY SOS viewers were left in tears after deaf couple Ahmed and Rifat, along with their three young children, were told to leave their home immediately because it was unsafe. During the latest episode, Nick Knowles and his team travelled to Southampton to help the family, who had invested their entire life savings into renovating their property, only for the project to descend into catastrophe.
Builder abandoned site and demanded payment
The couple revealed that progress during the works had been significantly slower than anticipated. A voiceover from their interpreter explained that the builders would abandon the site for extended periods while simultaneously demanding payment. Rifat disclosed that, despite the builder's justification for requiring funds to purchase materials, no materials ever materialised.
Upon consulting the architect, the family learned that the builder had previously been taken to court, reports the Mirror.
Family told to move out 'as soon as possible'
Having spent £72,000, the property remained drastically incomplete, with exposed holes and wiring throughout, alongside an unfinished kitchen. Ahmad confessed they couldn't cope, highlighting that it had been a 'traumatic experience'.
While Nick surveyed the premises, he expressed astonishment at its condition, especially when he discovered one incomplete structure with an enormous gap beneath the structural wall. Telling Ahmed it was 'absolutely not safe', he told the family they needed to move out of the house 'as soon as possible' for their own safety. Admitting it was 'the first time' he's had to tell a family to leave, the DIY SOS star then welcomed a plethora of local volunteers who got stuck in with helping the family.
Adjustments and emotional reactions
During the episode, the house was given a series of adjustments to help them, including more mirrors and reflective surfaces so they could see the children when they weren't in front of them, and a special panel that would light a specific colour to alert them to things happening in the house they weren't able to hear, including the door ringing, a fire alarm and a baby crying.
As the family explored their new home, they were moved to tears as their eldest son was also emotional, speaking about how tough it was for his family before. It wasn't long before people watching the programme commented on the emotional episode as many were left in tears.
One person said: "Couldn’t hold back my tears what a sad situation this poor family had to live with but in the same time the amount of people came to help them out with rebuilding their life back makes me happy we still got the true human decency in our world."
Someone else wrote: "Just watched #DIYSOS bawled my eyes out. Couldn’t have happened to a more deserving family." Another added: "Overwhelmed by the gratitude of the family on #diysos tonight, how anyone could take advantage of them the way they did is beyond comprehension." One viewer commented: "I guess we're all crying then #diysos"
DIY SOS continues Tuesdays on BBC One from 8pm.
