BBC viewers were left in floods of tears after DIY SOS aired one of its most heartbreaking transformations yet — helping a man paralysed in a freak beach accident reclaim his independence. The new episode saw Nick Knowles and his team travel to south Wales to rebuild the home of Dan Richards, 36, and his partner Anna Thomas, after tragedy struck on New Year’s Day. Dan, a gas engineer and keen surfer, was left paralysed from the neck down following a devastating accident during a swim at Langland Bay in Swansea.
He suffered a C5 burst fracture, with additional breaks to C4 and C6 of his spinal cord. Speaking on the show, Dan recalled: “I went into the water as normal and went into a wave; not a particularly big wave but it dropped on me. I knew it was serious straight away and then everything changed after that.” Anna remembered hearing his cries for help: “I just heard a voice shouting out, ‘Help me!’ He had gone under and wasn’t coming back up. Thank God there were people there to help.”
When she reached hospital, doctors told her the devastating news. “The gentleman looked at me and said, ‘He’s paralysed from the neck down. He can’t move anything.’
“I could hear people celebrating because it was New Year’s Eve, laughing and joking. And I was being told the worst thing in the world.”
After ten months in hospital, Dan returned home — but was confined to the downstairs lounge of his three-bed terrace. He couldn’t access the garden due to a 4ft drop and had even suffered a concussion after falling out of his wheelchair on the steps.
Interior designer Gabby Blackman described the property as “the least suitable and least accessible house we have worked on”.
The DIY SOS team, alongside dozens of local volunteers, transformed the home — adding ramps, widened doorways, a wet room and a lift across the road so Dan could finally reach the upper floor.
Viewers were left sobbing as the emotional build unfolded, flooding X with messages of support.
One wrote: “Nick @MrNickKnowles you’re a national hero, your team yet again do the ‘impossible’… Pure class, restores the faith.”
Another said: “I’m an emotional wreck at @DIYSOS.”
A third added: “If you don’t tear up at #Diysos who are you??” While one viewer posted: “Need a supply of tissues watching #diysos. What a brilliant build! Wishing Dan a good recovery and them both a happy life together in their amazing new accessible home.
“What a triumph by @DIYSOS to overcome all the build issues and finish the job. Well done everyone.”
When Dan saw the finished result, he was overwhelmed: “Now I can live. I haven’t been upstairs in my house in a year. I didn’t think I would ever get upstairs again… utter disbelief. Thank you.”
Anna broke down in tears as she added: “I didn’t think he’d ever be up with me. Ever. It’s just amazing.”
