Nick Knowles pays heartbreaking tribute to DIY SOS star Oliver Hudson following his death

Nick Knowles has paid tribute to a teenager who died following his appearance on DIY SOS.
Oliver appeared with his dad Darren Hudson on DIY SOS on BBC. Photo: BBCOliver appeared with his dad Darren Hudson on DIY SOS on BBC. Photo: BBC
Oliver appeared with his dad Darren Hudson on DIY SOS on BBC. Photo: BBC

Oliver Hudson, a young teenager with severe learning disabilities, appeared on the show with his family, from Hessle near Hull, in 2017.

It was rebroadcast on BBC One on Thursday, September 15.

Following the episode, the DIY SOS team shared that Oliver had sadly died since the episode first aired.

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Presenter Nick Knowles said: "We at DIY SOS send condolences to Darren & family on the sad passing of wonderful Ollie who is missed and was so loved."

The family appeared on the show after Oliver's adopted dad Darren was diagnosed with a degenerative spinal condition.

He required surgery left him paralysed from the waist down and unable to walk.

Darren was sharing Oliver’s downstairs bedroom and slept in a hospital bed.

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Sadly, tragedy struck the family again when Darren's wife Sarah died suddenly just weeks later on Boxing Day.

The episode shows the DIY SOS team help build an adapted home so that Darren could easily care for himself and the boys.

The team and volunteers helped to transform the house to make it more accessible for Darren and Oliver.

Addressing the crowds of builders, tradesman and volunteers who helped create their new home, an emotional Darren said: "What you've done for us is our next chapter.

"It is the next step forward which is massive for us.

"Words don't seem enough.

"I have been in there and I don't even recognise my house.

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"In fact, its not a house you've bought the home back for us and I can actually get up the stairs now, which may seem like nothing to you all, but to me its everything.

"You've given me the whole house back when before I only had downstairs.

"It is something that we needed so bad and it couldn't have come at a better time."

He added: "The memories will always be here. She's always with us.

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"It's a forever home for us, we will never have to change anything in here again. Thank you so much."

Social media users said: "How sad. I watched the program earlier tonight.

"It was heartbreaking what the family had been through and now more heartache.

"You and your team gave the family a wonderful home. God bless Ollie, his brothers and his Dad."

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Another added: "Such sad news for the family, just heartbreaking.

"Thank you, and everyone who worked on the house to give them a home.

"You could see how much it meant to them and just how much Ollie loved it.

Oliver is survived by dad Darren and brothers Mike and Harvey.

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Thank you

Laura Collins

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