DIY SOS to be ‘rested’ next year to save money, BBC says

BBC/South Shore

The long-running home renovation TV series DIY SOS will be “rested” next year in the light of “savings challenges”, the BBC has said.

It will be replaced by a spin-off show featuring highlights from past episodes. axed as part of a plan to make savings

Presented by Nick Knowles, DIY SOS sees a team transform the homes of families who are facing severe illness, disability, bereavement or building disasters.

It was first broadcast in 1999 and is currently airing its 35th series on BBC One and iPlayer.

The decision comes during the corporation’s drive to save £500m over three years. It has already cancelled several well-known TV shows including Blankety Blank, Celebrity Mastermind and Live At The Apollo.

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 will revisit successes from the show’s past and expand the brand on the BBC in a more cost-effective way next year.”

After initially concentrating on small-scale renovations, DIY SOS shifted focus to tackle a number of more ambitious projects throughout its multiple-decade run.

Among them was a 2015 special that saw hundreds of volunteers work alongside Knowles, Prince William and Prince Harry to build housing for veterans in Manchester.

William returned to the programme in 2018 for a two-part special supporting survivors and the community affected by the Grenfell Tower fire.

The emotional episodes saw the team build a new community centre and restore the Dale Youth Boxing Club, which was destroyed in the disaster.

The programme’s latest episode saw the team overhaul a family’s property to allow their 17-year-old son Dan – who has complex disabilities – to receive treatment at home after spending more than three years in hospital.

Dan’s father, Nigel, told the BBC it was a “miracle”.