DIY SOS’s Nick Knowles begs fans for help after co-stars car is stolen
NICK Knowles has pleaded with fans to help find his DIY SOS co-star’s stolen car.
The TV presenter, best known for stints on DIY SOS and Who Dares Wins, has taken to X (formerly known as Twitter) to ask his followers for help.
He wrote: “Please can you help and spread the word Our lovely Billy from DIY SOS had his car stolen a few days ago, with a rather obvious number plate.
“Can you RT and see if we can find it for him, as it’s made him awfully sad Thank you everyone.”
Known for being the butt of the joke and an easy-going personality, Billy Byrne, 74, quickly became the shining star of British TV show DIY SOS.
Billy, who has been on the show since 1999, is not new to devastating news as he revealed the passing of his his 20-year-old daughter in 2020.
Emma was diagnosed with the cancer, and the incurable nature of her illness resulted in her tragic passing.
The electrician rarely discloses information of his daughter’s passing, but admitted that having therapy was the only way he managed to cope with the loss – despite it taking him 20 years to access help.
Billy first publicly discussed Emma on DIY SOS in 2020, he said: “You’ve got to accept that she was part of our lives for 20 years.
“Let’s talk about the 20 years that she was great and happy. We can stop shedding tears – but it’s hard.”
Meanwhile, Nick admitted that he’s been lifting weights in the gym to get in shape for his debut on Strictly Come Dancing.
Nick was confirmed as a show contestant by the BBC earlier this week.
Joining footballer Paul Merson and GB hockey hero Sam Quek, he will dance alongside another ten names as they take to the TV screens later this year.
Appearing on Monday Night’s The One Show, he told presenters: “I danced in Rio last year doing an Argentine Tango and I thought this is great.”
“My elder sister was a ballroom dancer so I am the least talented person in the family.”
Already taking it seriously, however, a slimmed-down Knowles has been seen out and about recently.
DIY SOS cast
Get to know the DIY SOS team and the characters behind the amazing room transformations.
Nick Knowles – Although he’s the only member of the team who isn’t a builder he’s not afraid of hard work, despite the jokes made on the programme. Nick mucks in and brings his own unique style of presenting to the show, joining in the fun with the team.
Mark Millar – The build manager is the one who has to work out how to fit weeks of work into just nine days. Needless to say he never shies away from a challenge! He’s full of energy and blarney but can get a bit lippy if you let him loose on the coffee.
Chris Frediani – He started at the bottom and worked his way up to being a very versatile plasterer. He’s been on DIY SOS since day one. He lives in and loves his home life in Devon, likes travelling around the country but loves going home more.
Julian Perryman – He has a very broad knowledge of modern and traditional types of properties, and always finds a giggle in any situation. An original DIY SOS team member, he’s a proper Devon Boy through and through.
Billy Byrne – Billy learned his trade in the 60s and then went into lighting in the film game. An original member of the DIY SOS team, he’s known as The Prince of Darkness and is the clown of the team. Billy is often the butt of the jokes but the programme wouldn’t be the same without him.
His new look led to fans speculating on how much weight the Bafta-winning presenter will lose during his stint on the show.
Replying to a comment on X, formerly Twitter, one fan said: “Got a book running with everyone on how much weight you’ll lose doing strictly…I’ve got a score on 3.5 stone…(22.22kg).”
Nick replied: “Well I’ve been training in the gym and on a strict diet and have lost 7 kilos already.”
The gravelly-voiced presenter had previously admitted to piling on the pounds in lockdown, telling his X followers in 2021: “Nothing like seeing your lockdown weight gain splashed all over several national newspapers with before and after example photos to (really) drive home the point…”
He was also previously quoted as saying: “I’ve made a living by looking like a bag of spanners on TV. “
“I’m 18 stone. I’m massive. I’m always on building sites. During lockdown, I put on almost four stone.”
The Bafta-winning presenter, who is engaged to fiancée Katie Dadzie, 27 years his junior, is set to take to the dance floor next month.
Despite recent scandals surrounding the show, it has been a firm favourite with viewers since launching in 2004, with more than 10 million tuning in to watch last year’s final.
Meanwhile, off screen, Nick’s often-rocky love life is now just as glittering.
Recently, the popular DIY SOS anchor, 61, popped the question to his fiance, underwear boss Katie Dadzie, 33.
The pair became engaged last summer, while the BBC star was filming in the US.
The couple have been together since 2021 and met when Katie’s daughters befriended Nick’s youngest lad Eddie, eight, at a play centre.
Cruel trolls had not only called out the generational divide but also suggested Katie – despite having her own successful brand – was a “gold digger.”
Nick has already been seen training with Strictly pro Luba Mushtuk in preparation for the upcoming series.
And Katie has brushed off any suggestion of a Strictly curse.
She has confided in pals and we exclusively reported how she’s one hundred per cent comfortable with Nick’s latest telly gig.
They told us: “Katie isn’t worried about the curse.
“After Nick signed up for the show they joked about it, they’re very confident in their relationship.
“Obviously Katie is stunning and Nick definitely isn’t looking elsewhere – why would he? This is nothing but a job for him.”