DIY SOS

DIY SOS is a British DIY television series made for the BBC, presented by Nick Knowles, that is currently on its 17th series.

History

Launched in 1999 after audience figures showed interest in other home make-over shows such as Changing Rooms, DIY SOS is a weekly full builder and designer level renovation of a section of a viewers home, taken on by a team of professionals after a viewers DIY project has gone wrong and not been finished. The series has changed format over the years and now is less of a DIY "How To" show and more of a sitcom with builders. It is the longest running show of its format with more than 9 years worth. Some believe it has cult status and even has a active dedicated forum.

Launched with presenter Lowri Turner, the format consisted of a main project, a small project headed by Knowles, and a viewer call-in vote format voting for one of three families who have made short video pitches for their projects to be addressed in the following program. After Turner left the program, Knowles has fronted the program in a changed format which only involves a main project, selected by the shows researchers and producers.

Current format

Each week, a contestant's house is visited and renovated by the DIY SOS team. The team consists of specialised workers, such as electricians, plumbers and plasterers. Fronted and occasionally assisted in their works by Knowles, the current team is made up of a core Devonian based building team of Julian Perryman, Chris Frediani, Mark Millar; and Watford-based electrician Billy Byrne.

A core part of the team is the designer, who creates the new vision of the area, which has consistently been female through the entire show. After Deborah Drew took on the original role, the replacements have been Kate McIntyre; and Brigid Calderhead who also undertook some presenting when Knowles was unavailable. For the 2008 17th series, Henley on Thames interior designer, and ex of ITV1's daytime 60 Minute Makeover Julia Kendall has taken over the role.

DIY SOS currently airs on BBC One, Fridays, 8:30pm, UKTV Style and on UKTV Gold as part of the UKTV Gold Morning Line Up. DIY SOS can currently be viewed again using the BBC iPlayer.

References

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