DIY SOS RESCUED ME IN THE NICK OF TIME Knowles reveals show’s ‘saving power’

NICK Knowles has told how DIY SOS helped him to cope during the toughest periods in his life.

The presenter has fronted the makeover show for more than 20 years.

And during that time, Nick has suffered two marriage breakdowns and had a driving ban. He says the team of builders he works with have been a vital support.

Nick said: “I can’t explain how supportive the boys have been to me over the years. They have got me through some of the darkest times of my life.

“We have been each other’s support networks. We have looked after each other through some of the darkest times of all our lives.”

The show has also been a lifeline for many of the labourers who have volunteered over the years. Nick added: “Huge numbers of builders work on their own. They don’t have anyone to talk to.

“There is a massive problem with suicide in young men, but the ability to talk to each other is really important.

“A lot of the builders stay in contact. Those who have suffered from mental health issues have found they got a tremendous amount of support and benefit in being part of those groups.

“We’ve had builders who say the show has changed their life.”

On DIY SOS, Nick and his team stage big building projects to help vulnerable people. Everyone from neighbours to building companies pitch in for free.

Nick said: “These days we go to work with our headphones in. We go to a checkout without talking to a person.

“You do everything online, kids don’t play in the street because of cars… you never talk to anybody. But we all crave the chance to be sociable.

“We are all being set against each other so much – North/South, rich/poor, Brexit/remain. But when we do projects for the show, we’ll have the owner of a big company having lunch with a plasterer as well as a barrister who is there to make the coffees.

“Everyone is equal and gets along together. People come to life again. There’s an energy when people feel part of a cohesive group.

“This show reminds us that despite the narrative coming from politics, we are not all against each other.

“When someone has fallen through the net in society, people will come out in force.”