Pudsey’s DIY SOS call for comic Rhod
WHEN comic Rhod Gilbert was asked to take over from Nick Knowles to front a Children in Need DIY SOS special, he knew it was going to be tough.
The BBC had banned the show’s regular presenter from hosting the programme because he had appeared in a TV commercial for Shreddies breakfast cereal dressed as a builder.
“It was flattering to be asked but I was really apprehensive,” Rhod admits. “He’s synonymous with the programme.
“When someone has been doing it for 20-odd years, I worried people would say, ‘Where’s Nick? I want Nick back!’”
But the stand-up comedian was blindsided by how emotional the experience was.
Revealing he couldn’t stop sobbing, Rhod says being part of this year’s build, which transforms a two-and-a-half-acre plot into an adventure campsite, was the most inspiring project of his career.
“I didn’t think I would be this emotional,” he says. “It was so overwhelming and absolutely life-affirming.
“I hadn’t realised how hard people work. It’s almost an impossible challenge.
“I knew the volunteers were generous souls but I hadn’t realised so many would have their own story.”
Rhod, 53, was asked to step in by the BBC after it emerged Nick’s Shreddies advert was at odds with the corporation’s rules.
He was threatened with the axe if he did not pull out of the campaign.After emergency talks, Nick, 59, was told he could continue to front the regular DIY SOS series but not this year’s Children in Need special.
Despite his nerves about standing in for the popular presenter, Rhod says: “Children in Need is bigger than us.
“You have to get on with it and I was so happy to help. I loved it.”
The DIY SOS build for Children in Need involves Rhod joining up with the rest of the team to create a purposebuilt activity centre for St Michael’s Youth Project in Hull.
The charitable organisation works with children and young people to improve their emotional and physical health as well as helping to build their confidence and self-esteem.
St Michael’s also organises several camping trips and residential stays throughout the year but some children lack the confidence to be away from home.
So the new campsite built by the DIY SOS team is 30 minutes away from St Mike’s headquarters, meaning visiting children are not far from home but can still enjoy a little holiday.
Rhod said: “It was a tough and big build. It was also exhausting but the volunteers were willing to be there.
“Everyone worked so hard and to be able to help St Michael’s was amazing.The work they do is wonderful.”
He added: “Nick Knowles is coming back.
“They are filming again but being part of this Children in Need special made me definitely realise that I want to work with charities and use my comedy to do that.”
As for whether taking part in the show helped him with his construction skills, he jokes: “No I am not better at DIY after this. I definitely won’t be getting out a flat pack!” DIY SOS: The Big Build BBC Children in Need special is on BBC1 tonight at 9pm.