# Nick Knowles
**Nick Knowles** (Nicholas Simon Augustine Knowles) is a British television presenter, writer and musician, best known as the host of the [BBC One](https://www.edgepedia.org/bbc-one) home renovation show *DIY SOS*, which he has fronted since its launch in 1999.[1](https://www.nickknowles.com/about) • [2](https://www.nickknowles.com/projects/diy-sos) Born in 1962 in Southall, Middlesex, he has worked across news, factual, entertainment and adventure programming for more than three decades, and has also hosted quiz shows including *Who Dares Wins*, *Break the Safe*, *Secret Fortune* and *Perfection*.[1](https://www.nickknowles.com/about) • [3](https://thesohoagency.co.uk/presenters/nick-knowles/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1962, Southall, Middlesex; educated at The Skinners' School, Tunbridge Wells[1](https://www.nickknowles.com/about) |
| Signature role | Lead presenter of *DIY SOS* on BBC One, 1999 to present[2](https://www.nickknowles.com/projects/diy-sos) |
| Quiz hosting | *Who Dares Wins* (2007–2019), *Break the Safe* (2013–2014), *Secret Fortune* (2011–2012), *Perfection* (2011–2015)[3](https://thesohoagency.co.uk/presenters/nick-knowles/) |
| Music and writing | Debut album *Every Kind of People* reached No. 92 on the UK Albums Chart in 2017; cookbook *Proper Healthy Food* published the same year[1](https://www.nickknowles.com/about) |
| Reality TV | Sixth place on series 18 of *I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!* (2018); Strictly Come Dancing series 22 contestant (2024), eliminated in week four[1](https://www.nickknowles.com/about) |
| Rugby investment | Minority shareholder in Championship (Champ) side Cornish Pirates, 2026[4](https://www.ruck.co.uk/rugby-news/tv-star-nick-knowles-becomes-rugby-club-owner) |
| Personal life | Father of four; married Katie Dadzie at Braxted Park, Essex, on 7 June 2025[1](https://www.nickknowles.com/about) |
## Early life and start in television
Knowles grew up in Southall in a community he describes as "massively multicultural", and the family later moved to Mildenhall in Suffolk and then Tonbridge in Kent.[1](https://www.nickknowles.com/about) • [5](https://www.bigissue.com/culture/tv/diy-sos-nick-knowles-interview/) He left school at 16 and worked as a laborer, petrol-station assistant and salesman before getting a break as a runner in television production, then becoming a regional news reporter for TVS on the nightly show *Coast to Coast* in the early 1990s.[1](https://www.nickknowles.com/about) • [6](https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/news/nick-knowles-injury-strictly-come-dancing-diy-sos-b2624327.html) From 1994 he presented the motorcycle program *Ridge Riders* for eight years.[7](https://visionmag.co.uk/hornchurch/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/03/VisionHornchurch-Edition-57-April-22.pdf)
## DIY SOS
Knowles became the face of *DIY SOS* on BBC One in 1999, matched with co-presenter Lowri Turner for a new-launch DIY show riding on the success of *Changing Rooms*.[1](https://www.nickknowles.com/about) • [7](https://visionmag.co.uk/hornchurch/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/03/VisionHornchurch-Edition-57-April-22.pdf) The show ran in its original form until 2010 before being rebranded as *DIY SOS: The Big Build*, and by 2024 had aired 32 seasons with more than 240 episodes.[6](https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/news/nick-knowles-injury-strictly-come-dancing-diy-sos-b2624327.html) Each build brings local tradespeople, suppliers and volunteers together to renovate, extend or rebuild the home of a family facing serious illness, disability or hardship, and the show has tackled full house rebuilds for injured veterans and ambitious community projects.[2](https://www.nickknowles.com/projects/diy-sos) The format won a BAFTA in 2019, and the Big Issue reported in 2026 that the show had created £20 million worth of homes, respite centers and community spaces.[8](https://www.childbereavementuk.org/nick-knowles) • [5](https://www.bigissue.com/culture/tv/diy-sos-nick-knowles-interview/)
Working style. Knowles presents himself as hands-on rather than a studio host: "We're literally feet on the ground in the job every day, all day," he told the Big Issue, describing a live building site with up to 500 people working flat out and a priority order in which the family comes first, the volunteers second, and the television program third.[5](https://www.bigissue.com/culture/tv/diy-sos-nick-knowles-interview/) He has framed the show's appeal around representing working-class communities that he says mainstream television rarely celebrates.[9](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/nick-knowles-diy-sos-relationships-wife-b3068837.html)
**The Shreddies episode.** In 2021 Knowles appeared in an advert for the cereal Shreddies in which he mimicked his *DIY SOS* role, breaking a BBC contract rule on commercial deals.[7](https://visionmag.co.uk/hornchurch/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/03/VisionHornchurch-Edition-57-April-22.pdf) After a joint statement saying both sides wanted to resolve the matter, Knowles stepped back from the show until the Shreddies campaign concluded, and comedian [Rhod Gilbert](https://www.edgepedia.org/rhod-gilbert) temporarily replaced him.[9](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/nick-knowles-diy-sos-relationships-wife-b3068837.html) • [7](https://visionmag.co.uk/hornchurch/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/03/VisionHornchurch-Edition-57-April-22.pdf)
**Resting in 2027.** In October 2026 the BBC announced it would rest *DIY SOS* in 2027 as part of a drive to save £500 million over three years, commissioning instead a spin-off, *DIY SOS Rebuilt My Life*, from producers South Shore, which will revisit past builds in a more cost-effective format.[10](https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/news/diy-sos-cancelled-reason-nick-knowles-statement-b3069339.html) The BBC denied reports that the show was being axed altogether.[10](https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/news/diy-sos-cancelled-reason-nick-knowles-statement-b3069339.html) Knowles said he was "disappointed" but understood the corporation's "difficult decisions", writing on Instagram that for 26 years it had been "an honour and a privilege" and thanking the thousands of tradespeople, suppliers and volunteers who had taken part.[10](https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/news/diy-sos-cancelled-reason-nick-knowles-statement-b3069339.html)
## Other television work
Knowles has deliberately moved across formats. His quiz and game show credits include *Who Dares Wins* (2007–2019), *Perfection*, *Secret Fortune*, *Break the Safe*, *5-Star Family Reunion* and *Guesstimation*, alongside factual series such as *City Hospital*, *Real Rescues* and *Close Calls: On Camera*.[3](https://thesohoagency.co.uk/presenters/nick-knowles/) • [6](https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/news/nick-knowles-injury-strictly-come-dancing-diy-sos-b2624327.html) In 2007 he fronted *Mission Africa*, helping build a game reserve in Kenya, dislocating his shoulder falling from a [Land Rover](https://www.edgepedia.org/land-rover).[1](https://www.nickknowles.com/about)
From 2021 he fronted a run of travel and factual series, mostly for Channel 5: *Big House Clearout*, *Amazing Railway Adventures*, *Into the Grand Canyon*, *Into Death Valley*, *The Mighty Mississippi*, *Nick Knowles in South America* and *Lost in the Desert with Nick Knowles* (2025), plus *Heritage Rescue* for Discovery+/Quest.[3](https://thesohoagency.co.uk/presenters/nick-knowles/) • [11](https://www.nickknowles.com/projects) In 2018 he finished sixth on series 18 of *I'm a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!*, and in 2024 he competed on series 22 of *Strictly Come Dancing*, partnered with Luba Mushtuk; he injured his shoulder before week two, danced Parklife as an American Smooth on 16 hours of training, and was eliminated in week four.[1](https://www.nickknowles.com/about)
## Music, film and writing
Knowles plays in bands from his teens and released his debut album *Every Kind of People* in 2017, entering the [UK Albums Chart](https://www.edgepedia.org/uk-albums-chart) at No. 92; the same year his cookbook *Proper Healthy Food: Hearty Vegan and Vegetarian Recipes for Meat Lovers* was published.[1](https://www.nickknowles.com/about) In 2016 he co-wrote and executive produced the comedy film *Golden Years*, directed by [John Miller](https://www.edgepedia.org/john-miller), about pensioner bank robbers.[1](https://www.nickknowles.com/about) • [11](https://www.nickknowles.com/projects) He is described by his agency as an RTS award-winning writer.[3](https://thesohoagency.co.uk/presenters/nick-knowles/)
## Cornish Pirates investment
In 2026 Knowles became a minority shareholder in Cornish Pirates, the Penzance-based rugby club playing in the second tier of English club rugby, following a seven-figure deal by the American private equity firm Stonewood Capital for a minority stake in May.[12](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nick-knowles-interview-why-am-054500397.html) He has brought in a film crew to produce a documentary series about rugby in Cornwall and the club's plans for regeneration and growth, and has spoken of aiming for the [Premiership](https://www.edgepedia.org/premiership), citing the 1991 [County Championship](https://www.edgepedia.org/county-championship) win, when 40,000 supporters traveled to [Twickenham](https://www.edgepedia.org/twickenham), as evidence of the county's rugby roots.[4](https://www.ruck.co.uk/rugby-news/tv-star-nick-knowles-becomes-rugby-club-owner) • [13](https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/?p=491322) The Premiership is expected to adopt a franchise-based system, with the league planned to expand from 10 to 12 clubs for the 2029-30 season.[12](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nick-knowles-interview-why-am-054500397.html)
## Charity work and personal life
Knowles is a patron of several charities, including Child Bereavement UK, and has worked alongside the Prince and [Princess of Wales](https://www.edgepedia.org/princess-of-wales) and the [Duke of Sussex](https://www.edgepedia.org/duke-of-sussex) on projects supporting veterans, mental health and local communities, much of it connected to the *DIY SOS* Big Build specials.[8](https://www.childbereavementuk.org/nick-knowles) • [1](https://www.nickknowles.com/about) He has two marriages behind him and four children, and married Katie Dadzie at Braxted Park in Essex on 7 June 2025.[9](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/nick-knowles-diy-sos-relationships-wife-b3068837.html) • [1](https://www.nickknowles.com/about) He still plays rugby and continues to write and record music.[1](https://www.nickknowles.com/about)
## References
1. [Nick Knowles Biography – Life, Career & DIY SOS, nickknowles.com](https://www.nickknowles.com/about)
2. [DIY SOS BBC One – Nick Knowles, nickknowles.com](https://www.nickknowles.com/projects/diy-sos)
3. [Nick Knowles, The Soho Agency](https://thesohoagency.co.uk/presenters/nick-knowles/)
4. [TV star Nick Knowles becomes rugby club owner, Ruck](https://www.ruck.co.uk/rugby-news/tv-star-nick-knowles-becomes-rugby-club-owner)
5. [DIY SOS star Nick Knowles: 'We are an incredibly generous, empathetic society', Big Issue](https://www.bigissue.com/culture/tv/diy-sos-nick-knowles-interview/)
6. [Nick Knowles: The TV titan's journey from DIY SOS to Strictly, The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/news/nick-knowles-injury-strictly-come-dancing-diy-sos-b2624327.html)
7. [Nick Knowles Celebrates 30 Years on Our Screens, Vision Hornchurch](https://visionmag.co.uk/hornchurch/wp-content/uploads/sites/10/2022/03/VisionHornchurch-Edition-57-April-22.pdf)
8. [Nick Knowles, Patron of Child Bereavement UK](https://www.childbereavementuk.org/nick-knowles)
9. [Nick Knowles: How the DIY SOS presenter survived Strictly, singing, and Shreddies scandals, The Independent](https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/features/nick-knowles-diy-sos-relationships-wife-b3068837.html)
10. [Nick Knowles speaks out over BBC's decision to 'rest' DIY SOS, The Independent](https://www.the-independent.com/arts-entertainment/tv/news/diy-sos-cancelled-reason-nick-knowles-statement-b3069339.html)
11. [Nick Knowles Projects – BBC One TV, Travel & Books, nickknowles.com](https://www.nickknowles.com/projects)
12. [Nick Knowles interview: I am giving rugby Wrexham’s Hollywood treatment - Yahoo Sports](https://sports.yahoo.com/articles/nick-knowles-interview-why-am-054500397.html)
13. [Knowles: We're gunning for Prem, The Rugby Paper](https://www.therugbypaper.co.uk/?p=491322)
---
*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Screen people and creators › Television presenters and hosts › Lifestyle and property presenters*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 17, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license