DIY SOS's Nick Knowles in tears as he questions taking on enormous build for disabled Daniel Flemen
Nick fears his heart ruled his headNick Knowles questioned accepting an “ambitious” DIY SOS project last night after tensions flared over an eight-day deadline.
The presenter shared his doubts during Tuesday’s (October 13) episode of the BBC programme.
The team faced adapting a Preston bungalow so severely-disabled Daniel Flemen could finally leave hospital and return home.
But as the pressure mounted, Nick admitted: “The message is coming through loud and clear that actually taking what we’ve done is beyond even our capabilities to get the thing done.
“I mean, all of the evidence says that I should have said no, other than your heart.
“And you shouldn’t let your heart rule your head in business, should you?”
DIY SOS takes on the Flemen family’s home
For parents Nigel and Julie Flemen, the bungalow’s adaptations would end a lengthy separation.
Daniel was 13 when doctors discovered a brain tumour in October 2022. His symptoms had initially been mistaken for an ear infection and tonsillitis.
He needed emergency surgery, during which he suffered a severe stroke. This left him with life-altering disabilities and complex care needs.
Speaking about the stroke, Nigel said: “Undoubtedly, that’s what’s caused a lot of the damage which he has today.”
Daniel remained in hospital for several years. Julie spent almost three years in temporary accommodation beside the hospital.
Meanwhile, Nigel and their daughters remained at home, almost 50 miles away.
The work from the Nick and the DIY team therefore offered the family the chance to live together again. But the bungalow presented significant challenges before the they could make that happen.
Nick Knowles and Billy Byrne clash over the deadline
Nick recognised the scale of the task when he inspected the property.
He explained: “For us to do this in eight days, we’d literally have to take the roof off and rebuild it in a day, or we wouldn’t get it done. Nobody does that. Nobody’s ever done that.”
Nevertheless, he decided to proceed with the build.
Electrician Billy Byrne’s crew could not start their work until the second day. With the schedule already tight, Nick asked him: “When do you think you might be done in the extension? This evening, or before this evening?”
Billy made his frustration clear, replying: “I haven’t got a clue. You can push us and push us and push us, but it’s not our fault that we couldn’t get in there until today… I feel you’re pressurising [me]. You’ve got to realise that people can only work to a certain speed and certain hours. That’s all I’m saying, just think about it.”
Nick subsequently described feeling “guilty” as he questioned whether he had asked too much of the team.
Nick Knowles breaks down before the family’s return
With just 24 hours before the Flemen family came home, Nick struggled to describe what everyone had been through.
He said: “I genuinely don’t know how to put into words how tough this has been and how amazing everyone has been.”
His doubts had given way to gratitude for those who had completed the work.
Nick added: “How much doubt I had along the way, how much guilt I felt, and how amazing it is that these amazing people have pulled it off. [It’s been] physically and emotionally draining.”
Overcome with emotion, he stepped away from the camera in tears.
The family’s return brought the purpose of the demanding build into focus. Daniel entered a room specially adapted for his needs, finally reunited with his family at their home.
What an emotional ride.
DIY SOS continues at 8pm on BBC One on Tuesday October 13, 2026.
This article was produced with the assistance of AI technology to synthesise source reporting and structured data. It has been reviewed, edited, and fact-checked by our human editorial team before publication.
