If you’ve ever been watching BBC One on a lazy Sunday afternoon, you probably have caught sight of some bloke in work clothes making over someone’s home while cracking jokes with his building crew. That’s Nick Knowles for you, the face of DIY SOS and a veritable veteran of British television for more than 20 years.
Who is Nick Knowles? The Basics
Nicholas Simon Augustine Knowles, a bit of a gobful that, was born in September 1962. He’s 62 now, which frankly sounds insane, as he’s still carrying timber around on building sites like he’s half of that age.
He has been gracing our screens since the late 90s. He joined DIY SOS in 1999 and hasn’t left since. The same show for 25 years. That’s more than can be said for many marriages today.
Before He Got Famous
Nick wasn’t always the one with the power tools on telly. He knocked about on the radio forever. Bits and bobs here and there. Nothing to set the world on fire.
Then BBC gave him DIY SOS. Perhaps they figured it would last for a series or two. Wrong… It became one of those shows your mum watches religiously and cries at every single episode.
The format’s dead simple. Families are struggling. The house is falling apart. Nick arrives with some volunteers. Nine days later, everything’s sorted. People cry. You cry. Even Nick gets a bit teary sometimes.
His Kids and Family Stuff
Nick’s got four children. Charles is the eldest of three children from his first marriage to Gillian Knowles. Then there are TJ and Tuesday Knowles from a previous relationship. Eddie is his youngest, from his marriage to Jessica Rose Moor.
That marriage lasted from 2012 to 2017. They split the same year that Jessica received a diagnosis of cervical cancer. Rough timing, that. But Nick stayed by her side and supported her through her treatment, although they were no longer together. It says something about him, doesn’t it?
When people ask who is Nick Knowles as a person, stuff like that matters more than what he does on telly.
Meeting Katie
Fast forward to 2021. Nick meets Katie Dadzie at a restaurant. She runs a lingerie business, she’s 34, and they hit it off straightaway.
They got engaged in 2023. And just recently, Nick accidentally let slip they’re getting married this year. He was doing an interview, mentioned “my wedding later this year” like it was nothing, and suddenly everyone knew.
Nick Knowles’ wife-to-be Katie seems lovely from what we see. She turns up to support him at events. They post photos together. All looks pretty solid.
The Telly Career Beyond Hammers
DIY SOS is his main gig, but Nick’s done loads else. He was on I’m A Celebrity: Extra Camp. Turned up on Strictly Come Dancing last year but had to pull out because he knackered his knee.
He’s been on game shows, panel shows, all sorts. He even released an album in 2017 called “Every Kind of People”. Got to number 28 in the charts. Not bad for someone who’s mainly known for wearing hi-vis jackets.
The Rugby Question
Did Nick Knowles play rugby? Not professionally, no. But he’s done charity matches. He’s got that rugby player build – broad shoulders, doesn’t mind getting knocked about a bit. You can tell he was sporty in his younger days.
What’s Happening Now
As of 2025, Nick’s still presenting DIY SOS. The show pulls in millions every time it’s on. There’s talk of new projects, but nothing confirmed yet.
He lives in Cirencester. Posts on social media are fairly regular. Shares photos of building work and his dogs, Katie. Normal stuff, really.
His knees’s still giving him grief from that Strictly injury. He had surgery, but these things take time. Hasn’t stopped him working, though.
Why People Actually Like Him
Here’s the thing about Nick. He could’ve done any type of presenting job. Game shows pay better. Chat shows are easier work. But he stuck with DIY SOS.
The programme helps families who genuinely need it. People with disabled kids who can’t access their own bathrooms. Carers looking after sick relatives in houses that aren’t fit for purpose. Real problems that actually matter.
Nick doesn’t make a big song and dance about it either. He just gets on with it. Organises the volunteers. Sorts out the tradespeople. Makes sure it all comes together.
That’s probably why he’s been doing it for 25 years. It’s not just a job for him.
The Personal Stuff
He’s had his share of hassle. Nick Knowles’ wife cancer situation with Jessica was horrible timing. Relationship breakdowns. Health problems. The usual life stuff that nobody escapes.
But he doesn’t go on about it. British to the core, that way. Gets knocked down, gets back up, carries on.
The Wedding Plans
Nick and Katie are keeping details quiet about the wedding. Smart move, really. The tabloids would have a field day otherwise.
From what he’s said, it sounds like it’ll be later this year. Probably somewhere nice. Definitely not a big showbiz circus – that’s not really his style.
Katie’s been brilliant for him, by all accounts. She’s got her own thing going with her business. Not trying to be famous off his name. Just two people who get on well.
What Makes Him Different
Look, there are plenty of TV presenters about. Most of them are fine. They do their job, collect their paycheque, and go home.
Nick’s somehow managed to make people care about loft conversions and wheelchair ramps. That’s not easy. The show works because you believe he actually gives a toss about the families he’s helping.
Whether that’s all an act or not – and honestly, after 25 years it can’t be – doesn’t really matter. The end result is the same. Families get the help they desperately need.
The Impact Beyond Telly
DIY SOS has inspired loads of people to volunteer. Proper tradespeople giving up their time for free. Suppliers donating materials. Whole communities coming together.
That doesn’t happen because of clever editing or a good script. It happens because people see Nick doing something decent and want to be part of it.
Where He Goes From Here
At 62, most people would be thinking about winding down. Not Nick. He’s getting married, still working full-time, still hauling building materials about.
The show’s as popular as ever. He’s clearly not planning to retire anytime soon.
And honestly? Good. There’s something comforting about knowing Nick Knowles is still out there, fixing people’s houses and making telly that doesn’t make you feel rubbish about the world.
He’s become part of the furniture. Part of what British TV does well is helping people without making a massive fuss about it.
That’s who is Nick Knowles, really. Not just a presenter. Someone who accidentally became a national treasure by being consistently decent for a quarter of a century.
Not a bad way to spend a career, is it?
