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DIY SOS presented with BAFTA Special Award

16 December 2019

HRH The Duke of Cambridge shares message of congratulations as DIY SOS is celebrated at a special Tribute event

Images are available via Shutterstock here or BAFTA here

Video message from The Duke of Cambridge available here

Bristol, 16 December: The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) has today honoured DIY SOS with a BAFTA Special Award at a Tribute event in Bristol, in recognition of its outstanding creative contribution to television.

The Tribute took place at the Bristol Old Vic theatre earlier this evening, honouring the show’s roots in Bristol and celebrated the achievements and commitment the show has shown to improving people’s lives. The evening was hosted by presenter and broadcaster Nicki Chapman with key members of the show’s team sharing insights including presenter Nick Knowles, interior designer Gabrielle Blackman, the Purple Shirts tradesmen Mark Millar, Julian Perryman, Billy Byrne and key members of the production team executive producer Paolo Proto and series producer Hamish Summers. Other notable speaker attendees included programme contributor Scott Jones.

BAFTA’s President, His Royal Highness The Duke of Cambridge, sent the team a message of congratulations via video for the Award, that recognises the programme’s work highlighting important social issues and how it has had a significant positive impact on individuals and audiences across the UK throughout its 20-year history.

His Royal Highness, alongside The Duke of Sussex, has previously contributed to the show by helping to renovate a street of 17 homes in Manchester for veterans. The Duke of Cambridge also witnessed the show’s work re-building a boxing club in the community affected by the Grenfell Tower fire. The video is available to watch here.

On receiving the Special Award on behalf of the DIY SOS production team, presenter Nick Knowles said: “It is a huge honour for us and for everyone that’s taken part, the 20,000 volunteers, everyone that gave us the materials. We’ll keep doing this as long as we can because it does change people’s lives. We accept this on behalf of everyone that’s taken part and our production crew. We’re really, really proud of this, Thank you”

Krishnendu Majumdar, Deputy Chair of BAFTA, said: “We are so pleased to be recognising DIY SOS and the team behind the show for their inspiring work up and down the country. Over the past 20 years the programme has offered many emerging talent a foot in the door, nurturing this talent and teaching the skills needed to work in the ever-changing television industry. This work compliments BAFTAs aim to champion creativity and opportunity for new talent with the film, games and television industries. Congratulations to the team on this well-deserved recognition.”

DIY SOS: The Big Build was BAFTA-nominated in the Television Feature category in 2012 and received National Television Awards for Factual Entertainment in 2019, 2018, 2017 and 2016. The show won the TV Choice Award for Best Lifestyle Show and the TV Times Editor’s Choice Award this year. In 2016, DIY SOS won the Royal Television Society Award for Best Popular Factual and Features. The show was also nominated for a Mind Mental Health Award in 2016 for the Homes for Veterans special episode.

For further information:

Sophie Dudhill

Press Officer, BAFTA

020 7292 5863                               

[email protected]                                    

About BAFTA

The British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) is a world-leading independent arts charity that brings the very best work in film, games and television to public attention and supports the growth of creative talent in the UK and internationally. Through its Awards ceremonies and year-round programme of learning events and initiatives – which includes workshops, masterclasses, scholarships, lectures and mentoring schemes in the UK, USA and Asia – BAFTA identifies and celebrates excellence, discovers, inspires and nurtures new talent, and enables learning and creative collaboration. For advice and inspiration from the best creative minds in working in film, games and television, visit www.bafta.org/guru. For more, visit www.bafta.org.