Tuesday night sees the broadcast of the DIY SOS: Big Build for Children In Need challenge, for which comedian Rhod Gilbert will be stepping into long-time host Nick Knowles’ steel toe cap boots.
Popular BBC show DIY SOS has been going for 22 years, and last year’s Children In Need special saw the team transform a dilapidated, disused bus shelter into the world’s first purpose-built, fully adaptive surf centre.
This year’s programme aims to improve the physical and emotional health and wellbeing of children and young people in Hull.
The handy team will transform an empty two-and-a-half acre field into a purpose-built adventure camping site, complete with a field kitchen, a landscaped campfire, a pizza oven, a mountain bike course, an adventure playground, and a birdwatching tower, for St Michael’s Youth Project in Hull.
The two-week build took place from September 8 – 16.
Where is Nick Knowles on the DIY SOS special?
Nick Knowles is absent from the DIY SOS special as it coincides with his appearance in a Shreddies ad campaign.
The 59-year-old presenter featured in a 30-second Shreddies commercial this year as a builder helping a family.
In the clip, he wore a blue Shreddies hard hat and described himself as ‘Nick ‘get it done’ Knowles’.
It was reported he was at risk of losing his role on the home makeover show, as the deal threatened to violate the BBC’s strict rules.
He entered talks with the broadcaster, and the two sides managed to resolve the issue meaning the presenter did not get axed from his job fronting the show.
However, Nick cannot appear on the show until 2022.
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Temporary replacement host Rhod Gilbert called it ‘a great honour’ to step into Nick’s shoes and get involved with the Children In Need special.
He continued: ‘I’m looking forward to joining the infamous DIY SOS team, and rallying an enormous group of local volunteers on a wonderfully ambitious and important project.
‘After having tried my hand at over 30 jobs on my Work Experience TV programme, I’m hoping I may even be of some use around the site.
‘My vis is high and my hat is hard, so bring it on.’
When is Children In Need?
Children In Need will air on BBC One and BBC Two on Friday November 19, from 7pm.
The fundraising special will run until 10pm on BBC One before BBC Two airs its Children In Need University Challenge special from 10pm until 10.30pm.
Celebrities including Ed Sheeran, Fitness presenter Joe Wicks, and Love Island host Laura Whitmore are among the famous faces getting involved this year.
Additionally, Paddy McGuiness, Jimmy Carr, Alison Hammond, and Amanda Holden will make appearances.
Has Nick Knowles left DIY SOS?
Nick Knowles will keep his job on DIY SOS following reports his role was under threat over his cereal advert, the BBC has confirmed.
A joint statement from the BBC and Knowles at the time said: ‘Both Nick and the BBC have resolved the issue recently reported relating to Nick’s commercial agreements and BBC guidelines.
‘With the campaign still running, Nick will step back from the DIY SOS Children In Need special this year but will be back on our screens in 2022.’
In a separate statement, the BBC said: ‘Nick is an important member of the BBC family and we are pleased that this matter is resolved.
‘We will resume filming DIY SOS as soon as it’s safe to do so and Nick will be back on our screens in 2022.’
DIY SOS: Big Build for Children In Need airs on Tuesday November 16 at 9pm on BBC One
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