Popular BBC television series DIY SOS on Tuesday (September 29) features the plight of a grieving mum from East Devon left to cope with three young children in a half-renovated home after her husband suddenly died.
TV presenter Nick Knowles, his team, and an army of local tradespeople rallied to help children, Felicity, Eliza and Hugo who had been living in a partially-finished home after their much-loved dad Chris, a carpenter, died suddenly in August 2025, mid-way through the renovation.
DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles is pictured here guiding the arrival of Wren deliveries on site in Feniton, East Devon. Photo: with permission.
Their mum Georgie Salmon, also helping care for her mum who has early-onset dementia, faced ‘significant practical challenges’ looking after her kids in the unfinished property at what was already a difficult time.
The show, which airs on BBC 1 at 8pm tonight (Tuesday, September 29) highlights a new beginning for Georgie as Nick, his team, and hundreds of volunteers, stepped in to help the family by finishing their home.
A DIY SOS spokesman said: “Georgie’s world was turned upside down when her husband Chris passed away suddenly at home. A talented carpenter and dedicated father, Chris had been in the middle of renovating the only house the young family could afford — a fixer-upper they hoped to transform into a warm, safe home for their three young children.”
Before DIY SOS and the community stepped in to help, widow Georgie, who was singlehandedly raising three children under the age of 10, tackled emotional, financial, and practical challenges as she dealt with her own heartbreak amid her husband’s sudden death.
The show’s spokesman added: “Georgie’s story is one of resilience, love, and courage in the face of heartbreak. She is doing her best to create stability for her children, even as they navigate heartbreak and change but she now needs the care and support of her community.”
Pictured here is Wren fitter Darren Lewis and DIY SOS interior designer Gabby Blackman on site in Feniton, East Devon. Photo: with permission.
Before the DIY SOS build, the family were living in a house that was far from finished, adding to the weight of an already painful chapter in their lives.
As part of the transformation, Wren donated and installed a fully-equipped kitchen and utility, worktops and appliances. And it supplied fitted bedrooms for Georgie, Felicity and Eliza, as colleagues from across the business volunteered on site in Feniton.
The kitchen and bedroom retailer said the finished result gives Georgie and her children a warm, safe space to grow up in, the home that she and Chris had planned for them before he died.
Speaking about Wren’s involvement, Matthew Weatherill, head of contracts installations, said: “It was a privilege for the Wren team to support Georgie and her children, and to work alongside everyone involved in the Feniton build.
“Kitchens and bedrooms are central to everyday family life, so we were proud to donate and install a fully equipped kitchen and utility, along with fitted bedrooms for Georgie, Felicity and Eliza, with Wren colleagues also giving their time on site to help get the build over the line.
“We’re proud to have played a part in creating the home that Chris and Georgie always wanted for their family, a place where they can feel settled, comfortable and at home again.”
- The episode airs tonight – Tuesday, September 29, on BBC One and is available to watch on demand on BBC iPlayer.
