Why is Nick Knowles not on DIY SOS? Why he’s not doing Children in Need show - and Shreddies advert explained

English TV presenter Nick Knowles has been the face of DIY SOS since it began airing in 1999 - however fans of the home makeover show might be surprised to find Knowles absent from the upcoming BBC Children in Need DIY SOS special.

This is everything you need to know.

Where is Nick Knowles?

Knowles has presented DIY SOS for every year since 1999 - however, he won’t be appearing in the DIY SOS: The Big Build BBC Children in Need Special.

The presenter was relieved of his hosting duties temporarily after breaching BBC editorial guidelines when he appeared in a Shreddies advert earlier this year.

The BBC guidelines state that “actors and artists who perform in BBC output should not appear in promotional work, including advertisements, in a way which mimics or replicates their on-air roles for the BBC”.

Knowles appeared as a builder in the advert.

However, Knowles isn’t gone for good - earlier this year in May, Knowles and the BBC put out a joint statement explaining that despite the breach he would be returning to present future DIY SOS episodes.

The statement said: “Nick and the BBC have resolved the issue recently reported relating to Nick’s commercial agreements and BBC guidelines.”

In a later statement, the broadcaster confirmed that Knowles specifically would be returning in 2022 and that filming of DIY SOS would resume “as soon as it’s safe to do so”.

While Knowles and the BBC worked out an agreement, Welsh comedian Rhod Gilbert was drafted in as a temporary replacement.

What has Rhod Gilbert said about the role?

Speaking to The Sun, Gilbert explained how he felt a bit apprehensive about stepping into Knowles’ shoes.

He said: “I thought, “Oh, God, can I do this? [Knowles] is synonymous with the show and definitely has big shoes to fill. Will I be accepted?” All you can do is try.

“I’ve always said there’s no getting around whether I could do it. It was whether I’d be accepted.

“When somebody’s been doing it for 20 years, he’s gonna be bloody good at it. You know, it takes a while to find your feet on these things.

“I didn’t have that. I have got one to try and do as good a job as I can. And not upset everybody, the viewers of the show.

“Hopefully, I’ve managed to pull that off.”

Gilbert said that he’s “not necessarily a confident performer” and that he wasn’t sure what the producers wanted from him.

He said: “I asked the producers what they wanted. “Do you want me to try and be Nick? Do you want me to try and literally step into his shoes? Or do you want me to be me?” They said very clearly, “We want you to be you. Don’t try to be somebody or not do what you’re comfortable with”, you know, which was really the only sensible answer to my stupid question.”

When is DIY SOS: The Big Build BBC Children in Need Special on?

DIY SOS: The Big Build BBC Children in Need Special will air on BBC One at 9pm tonight, Tuesday 16 November.

Gilbert will join the DIY SOS team in Brandesburton, near Hull, to embark on transforming an overgrown 2.5 acre site into a purpose built adventure campsite for St Michael’s Youth Project, which receives funding from Children in Need.

The programme will share the stories of children and young people who have benefitted from the services of St Michael’s, and how they impact the children and families they work with.

The annual BBC Children in Need Appeal will return to TV screens on Friday 19 November, live from Media City UK in Salford.

The show will be packed with entertainment like sketches, music performances from Ed Sheeran and Tom Grennan and other special guests.

Hosts for this year’s Children in Need Appeal are Alex Scott, Mel Giedroyc, Graham Norton, Ade Adepitan and Chris Ramsey.

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