Family who accused Nick Knowles’ DIY SOS of wrecking home 'begged BBC not to broadcast episode'

The family who accused Nick Knowles’ DIY SOS of wrecking their home allegedly begged the BBC not to broadcast the episode.

Peter Chapman and his wife, Sarah, daughter, Suzanne, and brother, Steve, all reside in a bungalow based in Charlton Kings, Cheltenham which was renovated by the popular BBC programme back in February 2020.

Since then, a MailOnline investigation has alleged that Chapman had met with show producer, Paulo Proto, pleading with him to not air the episode.

While the house renovations appeared to go down a treat at the time of filming, Chapman claimed there's been a whole bunch of structural issues with his home.

Such include a leaking roof, a wheelchair ramp that is too steep and issues of poor workmanship all-around.

However, the BBC maintains that the all the work 'was planned and completed in accordance with the necessary required regulatory approvals and signed off onsite by building control'.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, Chapman opened up about the ordeal, saying that DIY SOS had 'robbed' him of the 'last three years'.

"The stress is killing me," he added.

Now 'so fed up' with the whole ordeal, Chapman has disclosed he and his family 'will eventually be moving'.

"It’s a difficult decision but I feel so wronged at what they did to me," he stated before revealing he doesn't 'feel comfortable' in his home anymore.

BBC

Chapman concluded: "They were just making a programme out of it. People will think I'm ungrateful but I'm not, I'm really cross.

"I wonder whether other DIY SOS families have had their lives affected like this. It can't be just me, surely."

Chapman's alleged request to not air the episode were not granted and reportedly prompted the BBC executive to suggest an appointment with a psychologist before the programme went live.

The mental health support was then refused by the Chapman family.

Correspondence shown to MailOnline highlights that Chapman made two separate attempts to prevent the broadcast from airing.

Dating back to 25 January 2022, an email from Proto addressing some of Chapman's complaints reads: "As a gesture of goodwill, we said we are willing to action the roof, the decking, the office ceiling and the bouncy floor in Suzanne’s bathroom."

BBC

He continued: "We take our duty of care to our contributors very seriously and as I discussed when we met, it may be helpful to get some support.

"I can get [a consultant clinical psychologist] to contact you for a chat that will last an hour."

Chapman then responded saying he could 'sort it out all [himself' before adding: "Not happy. Please don’t broadcast this episode.

"I don’t need a doctor. I just needed DIY SOS to do what they said they were going to do, then I would have been fine. We are done talking."

Then, a few months later on 26 April, Chapman said he attempted to prevent the broadcast once again.

His email read: "After the huge botch up on this property, I think it would be advisable not to show it at all."

Despite the back and fourth, the episode ended up being aired 14 June of last year.

A BBC spokesperson has since issued a statement on the matter.

BBC

They previously told Tyla: "DIY SOS is a heart-warming programme that brings communities together and helps improve the lives of those in need thanks to the hundreds of volunteers who give up their time to participate.

"As with all of our previous projects, the Charlton Kings build was planned and completed in accordance with the necessary required regulatory approvals and signed off onsite by building control."

The BBC also said it sought third party, impartial advice to assess the property when Chapman declined offers of help adding that he has previously been offered various solutions and assistance to the issues he has raised which he has declined.

The broadcaster is also aware that Chapman has made his own home improvements since DIY SOS finished filming which the BBC had no involvement with.

The BBC added that it takes its duty of care to their contributors very seriously and offered Chapman support as well as returning his personal items to him.

They also said they had 'nothing further to add' when asked for further comment.