He praised the village’s response after equipment went missing during the BBC show’s latest project in North Wales
13:16, 09 Dec 2025
Nick Knowles has been taken aback by the response to the incident(Image: BBC)
DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles has revealed that an entire Welsh village turned out to offer apologies following a “negative incident” during their most recent project in Wales. The BBC show features specialists and volunteers who completely transform homes for families requiring assistance.
These transformations are remarkable, life-altering endeavours that demand considerable effort – something made even more challenging by the weather conditions during their current project in Llanberis, Eryri.
The crew has been contending with dreadful weather conditions, compounded by the alleged theft of lighting equipment, wheelbarrows and cement mixers.
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Mr Knowles posted an Instagram video during the week showing workers whose equipment had allegedly been stolen, describing them as “mortified”. The equipment had since been returned, North Wales Police said yesterday.
“We’re mortified for the community here,” he stated at the time, whilst cautioning people against getting “not to get carried away” with social media commentary regarding the incident. He emphasised they were “loving” their time in north Wales.
During an appearance on BBC Radio Wales on Tuesday, he disclosed that villagers had made special trips to the construction site to express their regret.
“The people in the village are great, we had an incident that we won’t talk about because it was a negative incident, but it was sorted out,” he explained. “What was amazing about that was that everyone in the village kept saying: ‘I’m sorry about that.’ The response from the village and people round here has been amazing. People making cakes and Bara Brith and Welsh cakes…I do like a Welsh cake.”
An aerial view of Llanberis (Image: Carl Hudson)
The home of Llyr and Helen, parents to two young children, Macsen and Freddie, is currently undergoing transformation. Llyr hails from Llanberis, while his wife Helen originates from Manchester, reports Wales Online.
The couple had attempted to extend their cottage, but faced challenges due to their son’s developmental delay and a rare syndrome. Mr Knowles noted that “life got very difficult for them”.
He mentioned that their cottage had been left in a state of uncertainty “and up against it”.
“People in the village have joined in and people have come from far and wide to try give this young family of a decent environment in which to face all the challenges they have,” he elaborated.
The programme has now successfully completed over 250 projects and he said it had taken the whole team back to the beginning because their first big build was on Anglesey.
DIY SOS team in Llanberis
“Our very first DIY SOS big build was on Anglesey and that’s what started the whole thing off. So being back here in Llanberis, just across the other side of the bridge, has all taken us back 26 years to where it all started.”
The family will see their new home on Thursday. Mr Knowles said: “We are up against it but people are working so hard. People have been working in the garden, literally mining the rock out of the garden, trying to give this family a decent environment for their children.
“They been up to their armpits in mud and they’re unstoppable. There are just amazing people we’re working with. There’s a lot of fun on site, a lot of joy and positivity.”
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