DIY SOS: The Big Build

In the Dumfries programme, Nick Knowles assists a woman who inherited a dilapidated cottage in the Scottish countryside after her partner suffered a fatal heart attack on Christmas Day 2003. He helps her restore the property and cope with the challenges of maintaining it.

The broadcast titled is a television programme presented in an episode format. It forms part of the broader series that showcases stories from across the region, offering viewers a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people facing unusual challenges. In this particular installment, presenter Nick Knowles steps in to assist a woman who suddenly finds herself the sole occupant of a dilapidated cottage in the Scottish countryside. The hardship stems from the tragic loss of her partner, who suffered a fatal heart attack on Christmas Day in 2003, leaving her both emotionally and financially unmoored. The episode concentrates on the practical and emotional support that Knowles provides, aiming to help the woman stabilise her living situation after the sudden bereavement. Set against the stark beauty of rural Scotland, the story underscores how a single event—her partner’s unexpected death—can transform a home from a shared sanctuary into a burdensome, run‑down property in need of urgent attention. Throughout the programme, the focus remains on the real‑world impact of that loss and the steps taken to restore some sense of security for the bereaved resident.