Nick Knowles Seeks Solace on Coast Amid DIY SOS Axing

TV presenter Nick Knowles has revealed he is taking time to "clear his head" with a trip to the coast, expressing gratitude for fan support after his show, DIY SOS, was reportedly axed.

It was announced earlier this month that the BBC show, which Knowles has hosted for 27 years, is being rested as part of the broadcaster's £500 million savings plan. A new spin-off, DIY SOS Rebuilt My Life, will revisit past transformations in a more cost-effective format.

Knowles, 64, shared on Instagram that he has a long tradition of visiting Cornwall to find clarity. "Back in God’s own country - all my life I have come to Cornwall to clear my head - drive back slower than you drive down they say - and it still works today," he wrote, accompanying his post with scenic photos. He described the contrast between the wild north coast and the calmer south, stating, "I arrived like the north - I’ll return like the south."

He also extended his thanks to the "SOS family," describing them as "huge, diverse and thoughtful."

Sources close to the show have indicated that Knowles and the DIY SOS team, which includes electrician Billy Byrne, plasterer Chris Frediani, and designer Gabrielle Blackman, are devastated by the decision, viewing it as a "slap in the face."

A BBC spokesperson stated, "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."

However, insiders expressed concerns that the show's resting could lead to its permanent cancellation. One source told The Sun, "It’s a disgusting outrage that a BBC show, which genuinely helps some of the neediest people in our country, is being shut down because it’s basically seen as too expensive." The source added that the show "genuinely represents working-class people, thousands of tradesmen and women offer their time, and often the materials, for free to people in need, even when they’re struggling to make ends meet themselves."

Tears have reportedly been shed by the team, who feel the BBC is "turning their back" on communities and charities that rely on the show's assistance. The team were told the decision was due to cost-saving needs, and they feel it is a snub given the extensive free labor and materials contributed by many.

DIY SOS first aired in 1999 as a format focused on fixing botched renovations. It evolved in 2010 into DIY SOS: The Big Build, mobilizing local tradespeople and volunteers to undertake major home transformations for families facing severe illness or disability. The current series, Series 35, has featured episodes such as "Bringing Dan Home," detailing a community effort to adapt a house for a teenager with complex disabilities.