Emotional

DIY SOS – hosted by Nick Knowles – will not return in its current format again following the end of this series, as we take a look back at some of the incredible families the team have helped over the years

DIY SOS will not return in its current format – as fans launch a petition to reinstate the show hosted by Nick Knowles.

The presenter was devastated by the news from the BBC that the show won’t return as it is now. For nearly three decades, Nick and the DIY SOS team have been joined by volunteers, tradespeople and supporters to transform the lives – and homes – of families who really need their living spaces adapted, changed or added to to help make their lives just that little bit easier.

Last night, fans were in tears as the final episode aired. The BBC have said the show will return next year but not in the format it is now. Ahead of the episode last night, Nick told his followers how emotional he was feeling about the show’s future.

“We have been told the programme has been shelved and 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 hospices and charity places?’ and I’ve been told no, if it comes back in the future it will be smaller and more cost effective,” he said.

Discussing how he feels about the show ending in its current format, he added: “I thought I would be OK with it but actually it’s a little bit emotional. I’d like to thank everyone we’ve worked with over the last 26 years.”

A BBC spokesperson previously 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.”

Here, The Mirror look back at just a few of the incredible people Nick and the team have helped over the years.

The Hudson Family

One of the most poignant stories from the history of DIY SOS was that of Darren Hudson, who hailed from Hull. Darren was diagnosed with a degenerative spine condition in 2017 and feared how he could provide for his family following his diagnosis.

In a wheelchair himself, Darren also lived with adopted son Oliver, who had severe disabilities. The DIY SOS team transferred the entire home, which was also being live in by Darren’s two other children.

Following the build, the family of four spoke of how they could take the “next step forward” finally with their new property. He told the volunteers and tradespeople: “Words don’t even seem enough. I have been in there and I didn’t even recognise my house. In fact it’s not a house, you have brought the home back for us.”

In 2020 when the show aired, the BBC announced the sad news that Ollie had since died, with host Nick sending his condolences to the family following their devastating loss.

The McAuley Family

DIY SOS fans will remember the tragic story of the McAuley family, made up of mum Lindsey and her four children. Sadly, Shaun McAuley died the previous year to them being on the show, leaving the house unfinished.

Shaun was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer but works on their home extension in Kettering had to stop when Shaun got ill. He had a kidney and bowel operation but fell ill with cancer and died in November, just two months or so after falling ill.

As a show of support, members of the Royal Engineers, Shaun’s old regiment, also helped to finish the project

“Shaun would have been amazed at what they achieved and thankful for what everyone’s done for his family. He would have loved living here,” Lindsey told The Mirror at the time, “To know so many people have come together to create this beautiful house out of the goodness of their own hearts, it’s just amazing. Without the show, we wouldn’t have been home for quite some time.”

A community makeover

As well as individual homes, DIY SOS also worked on big community projects too. One of those was at childhood cancer support centre The Joshua Tree, a charity based in Northwich, Cheshire.

It was one of the largest the show ever did and was for Children In Need. The upgrades featured two family accommodation studios, a gym for rehabilitation, two therapy suites, two counselling rooms, a teenage breakout room and an outdoor therapy garden.

There were around 250 volunteers each day, with founders Dai and Lynda Hill sharing: “It’s incredible, people came from far and wide to help us. The energy, compassion, and teamwork were just inspiring. We can’t thank them or BBC Children in Need enough.”

Nick Knowles had said ahead of the build: “We have another huge build ahead of us in Cheshire, which will benefit children who are going through cancer treatment and help support their families too. If you have a trade, a skill, can spare some time to graft or can help us with materials then get in touch. It’ll be great fun and something you’ll never forget being part of.”

Young Dan stuck in hospital

Most recently, host Nick Knowles was reduced to tears after he and the team headed to Preston to help 16-year-old Dan, who has spent the last three years in hospital after life-saving surgery to remove a brain tumour left him with complex disabilities.

He had been ready to leave the hospital for 18 months, but has been stuck on a ward as their home wasn’t suitable for his needs. Mum Julie spent her time by Dan’s side in hospital and dad Nigel was at home looking after their daughters, Charlotte and Emily, and the family had been living apart for years.

Towards the end of the build, he teared up as he said: “We still have hours of hard graft ahead of us, but against all the odds, the end is in sight. I genuinely don’t know how to put into words how tough this has been, how amazing everyone has been, how much doubt I had along the way, how much guilt I felt, and how amazing it is that these amazing people have called it of physically and emotionally draining,” before stepping away from the cameras.

The Chapman Family

One of DIY SOS’ builds followed the story of dad Peter, who was building am extension for his family at their home in Charlton Kings, near Cheltenham. He spent 24/7 caring for his wife Sarah and daughter Suzanne, who are at different stages of a long-term genetic disorder called myotonic dystrophy.

The symptoms of the condition are worsening muscle loss and weakness and it can also include cataracts, intellectual disability and heart conduction problems. Sadly, just before the team arrived, daughter Margaret – who had the same condition – died aged 31.

Peter’s mother also had died a few years before, so he and Sarah took 64-year-old autistic brother Steve in to live with them too. Peter himself was later diagnosed with fibromyalgia.

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Matt Baker returned to screens at the weekend to host coverage of the Gymnastics World Championships

BBC viewers were left feeling emotional over the weekend.

Matt Baker returned to screens on Sunday (October 25) to present live coverage of the concluding apparatus finals on the final day of the 2026 World Gymnastics Championships. Matt was joined in the studio by retired British gymnast Beth Tweddle.

The women’s floor discipline was among those taking place in Rotterdam, with USA athlete Claire Pease winning the title with a dominant score of 13.866. Algeria’s Kaylia Nemour won the gold in the balance beam final, while Artur Davtyan, Zou Jingyuan, and Tang Chia-Hung took home the final men’s titles.

During the coverage, Matt announced that his fellow commentators, Christine Still and Craig Heap, would be leaving the team after many years on air. Ahead of the men’s finals getting underway, Matt said: “I just want to take a moment to say a heartfelt and a massive thank you to two very special people, who are sitting either side of me right now.

“And for those of you who’ve enjoyed our gymnastics coverage on the BBC over the years, you will be very familiar with the wonderful voices of Christine Still and Craig Heap. Now, Christine was one of the first female commentators that BBC Sport has ever had, when she started back in 1993.

“And here we are, Christine, 33 years on. Craig, you joined the team just before Rio in 2016, and, along the way, we have witnessed some incredible moments together.”

An emotional montage of some of Christine and Craig’s memorable moments was then played, before the camera panned to the stars in the commentary box. “Wonderful pictures and wonderful storytelling,” Matt said.

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He went on: “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but this could be the last time that we all sit together and enjoy the gymnastics. Christine, we have worked together for 20 years. You’ve been like a mum to me, you really have, as we’ve travelled all over the world together. And may I say, I’ve loved every single second.”

Matt then turned to Craig, saying, “We’ve been friends for many, many years. I’ve loved your company, mate. Honestly, I’m so gonna miss you both, I really am.”

“We’ll miss you as well, Matt. I’ve been so lucky,” Christine replied, before Craig added: “All good things have to come to an end, I guess… I’m going to miss you all… I’ll stop right there before I start crying.”

BBC viewers were left feeling emotional after watching Matt’s tribute. “Gonna be so weird not hearing Christine Still and Craig Heap commentating on gymnastics on the BBC anymore,” one person wrote on X.

Another added: “Omg Craig and Christine are leaving.” A third said, “I’m actually in tears. End of an era.”

Someone else commented: “I am gutted. Gutted the trio are no longer together.” A fifth viewer similarly shared: “That is so sad. I watch the gymnastics in the Olympic Games and not hearing their voices will be different… They will be missed.”

Coverage of the Gymnastics World Championships is available to stream on BBC iPlayer

MOLLY-MAE Hague shared an emotional video about ‘blocking out’ the first months after daughter Bambi’s birth.

The former Love Islander, 27, became a mum for the first time when she gave birth to her baby girl on January 23 2023.

Molly-Mae and fiance Tommy, also 27, welcomed their second child, son Midas, into the world back in June.

The new mum has been very honest with fans and shared the ups and downs of motherhood on social media over the years.

The Maebe owner has previously admitted she felt like her ‘life was over’ after giving birth to Bambi and opened up about the ‘really low lows’.

Molly-Mae recently took to her TikTok account to open up about different her two postpartum experiences have been.

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The video started with star giving Midas a kiss on the cheek, followed by a clip of a younger Molly-Mae bottle feeding Bambi on the sofa in her pyjamas.

Molly-Mae told fans: “For the mums who need to know that no two postpartums have to look the same.

“I didn’t realised how much of my first postpartum I’d blocked out until having Midas and realising I could barely answer questions about it.”

Fans rushed to the comments section to share the love.

One said: “You’re doing absolutely amazing.”

Another wrote: “The best mummy.”

“This makes me cry, well done mama,” a third chimed in.

A fourth added: “The difference is unbelievable, you should be so proud of yourself Molly. You’re a true inspiration.”

A fifth said: “I love that you’re showing the raw and real side of becoming a mummy.”

Molly and fiance Tommy shot to fame on Love Island in 2019.

The pair placed second on the series and moved in together after returning to the UK.

Then in September 2022, they announced that they were expecting their first child together and she gave birth the following January.

The happy couple got engaged in June 2023.

Then in August 2024, they announced that they had split, but in May 2025, they were back together.

Molly-Mae and Tommy later revealed that they were expecting their second child, and gave birth to Midas in June this year.

GEORDIE Shore’s Holly Hagan has paid an emotional tribute to her late sister Darci a year on from her tragic death at just 19 years old.

It was revealed in an inquest last year that Darci Rose Gibson died from “multi-organ failure” and “MDMA overdose” after a night out at Manchester‘s Warehouse Project.

Holly told at the time how her half-sister Darci passed away “peacefully holding my hand surrounded by family and her best friends.”

She explained her family were “traumatised in every sense of the word” but were “forever grateful” for the way everyone at Manchester Royal Infirmary A&E and ICU looked after them.

Now, Holly has shared a picture of her and Darci to Instagram, alongside a lengthy caption paying tribute to her “baby girl.”

“And just like that it’s been a year. Today was the day I recorded your heartbeat on a doppler to put it into a bear for my parents,” wrote Holly.

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“It was the day they checked if your heart was suitable for transplant. The day they searched the database to find a match. They day they ran two rounds of brain activity tests while we watched them find no signs of life.

“The day I went shopping for the perfect pair of pyjamas for you to be comfy and warm after donation.

“The day we took photos of all your tattoos and realised one said ‘Everyone happens for a reason’ and the one that shook us all ‘Live where your heart finds life’ whilst you were about to give your heart to someone else.”

Holly continued: ” It was the day I was on the phone to the transplant nurse at 10pm after she told me everything had gone well and your heart was on its way to the recipient.

“The day I sat on my utility floor and prayed for a stranger to live whilst trying to process that you had died.

“But it wasn’t just the day you died, it was the day you saved a life. The day you became a hero and an angel all in one.

“Not a day goes by that we don’t mention you, whether it’s when we see a butterfly, or AJ is wearing Minions socks (she loved Minions) or we’re watching Lion King and he asks if you’re with Mufasa in heaven.”

She added: “I won’t let anyone forget you. Love you so much baby girl!”

Holly’s sister Darci lived mostly out of the spotlight but she did open up on their relationship in her autobiography Not Quite a Geordie.

She wrote in the book: “When my sister Darci was born, I loved her, but she was too small for me to even bother with at that stage.

“It was only when she was a little bit older, when I would babysit, that I could really enjoy having fun with her.”

The pair were very close with Holly previously sharing a series of snaps on social media to mark Darci’s birthday – adding a sweet message.

“Happy 16th birthday to my not so little sister Darci. Love you so much twinny,” Holly penned.

Holly and Darci share the same mum, Vicki, but have different fathers. 

Kelvin and Liz returned with a new episode of Fletchers’ Family Farm, as they worked to rebuild their home after a fire.

Kelvin Fletcher’s wife Liz was left admitting ‘it’s quite emotional’.

The couple were looking back on the remains of their home in the Peak District after a devastating fire. Last year, Kelvin, Liz and their four children were on holiday when a fire broke out. They’re now rebuilding it all, but had to start with going through what had been left behind.

In an ITV episode of Fletchers’ Family Farm airing on Sunday, 18 October, Liz made an emotional admission as she worked through the job with Kelvin that had been on their list “for a long time”.

The couple were going through their own home, taking out what could be salvaged from the remains. “Look how much it has just burnt straight through the wood, that’s crazy,” she said, as she held up a wooden frame that was covered in burn marks.

Kelvin narrated: “We may be living back at the farm, but we’re still months away from living in the farmhouse following the fire last year.”

As their children had grown over the last year, Liz was left throwing out old nappy bags, baby carriers, and wellington boots that no longer fit.

Kelvin went on: “A year and a half since the fire, and we have to throw out everything that has been damaged by the smoke.”

Picking up one of their children’s baby jackets, when the couple were planning to move to LA before buying the farm, Kelvin commented: “Funny how things turn out, can’t throw that!”

Going through more jackets, Liz went on: “This is just all the stuff that when the fire brigade had to break in, stuff that was blasted by the door. It’s sad because you realise how little the twins were and how this stuff doesn’t fit them anymore.”

She added: “It’s one of those things, you mentally have to prepare yourself for, it’s been so long and we’ve just not been able to do anything because surveys and checks have been done as part of the insurance process. And now we can finally start clearing it out and building it back together.”

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Kelvin narrated: “Five years on from leaving Oldham, and so much has changed. This farm has given us a new life. And rebuilding the farm house is about building the heart of it back, along with a few old memories that we’re rediscovering.”

At one point, Liz said: “It’s quite emotional actually. It just shows how much time continues no matter what you’re going through, things keep going, you’ve just got to keep yourself.”

She added: “The exciting part is, although this now feels really sombre and quite depressing, but, like my dad always says, you’ve got to crack a few eggs to make an omelette, and it feels like we’re at that stage at the moment.”

Fletchers’ Family Farm is available to watch on ITVX.