Nick Knowles ‘is facing the sack from DIY SOS after breaching BBC rules with Shreddies TV advert’
‘What’s the difference with Lineker selling crisps?’: BBC’s ‘£300,0000’ star Nick Knowles ‘faces sack from DIY SOS for breaching corporation’s rules’ after featuring as a helpful builder in new breakfast cereal ad
- The TV presenter, 58, plays a jobbing builder in a new Shreddies commercial
- But it is understood to be breach of strict advertising rules set by BBC bosses
- He was reportedly told by bosses that he would have to ditch add or his show
- Nick has hosted DIY SOS, a BBC show about home renovations, since 1999
- In the Shreddies ad, Nick plays a builder who pours a bowl of cereal into his hat
- Nick insists he has ‘no intention’ of leaving DIY SOS despite Channel 5 contract
Nick Knowles is understood to be facing the axe from DIY SOS after 22 years as its host over a cereal advert in which he stars as a ‘helpful builder’.
The TV presenter, 58, plays a jobbing builder in a new Shreddies commercial, which is said to breach strict BBC advertising rules.
The BBC has not revealed the sticking point in the row over the 30-second clip.
However the broadcaster’s rules state that any promotions involving on-screen talent should not ‘imitate, suggest a reference or connection to or “pass off” BBC content’.
Meanwhile, social media users have today hit out at the BBC over its reaction to advert – with some asking how it is different to the long-running deal between Match of the Day host Gary Lineker and crisp brand Walkers.
Nick Knowles is reportedly facing the axe from DIY SOS over a behind the scenes row about a cereal advert
Nick was told by corporation bosses in a Zoom meeting last month he would have to get the ad pulled or quit DIY SOS
A source said: ‘They have very strict guidelines when it comes to their talent and advertising and he has already broken them by filming the ads. But Shreddies don’t want to pull the campaign’
One Twitter user said: ‘This is ridiculous. What’s the difference between Gary Lineker selling Walkers Crisps? Very inconsistent policy?’
Another said: ‘If you think Nick Knowles has broken rules flogging Shreddies, as you sacking Mr Lineker for the Walkers ads?
‘I know which one is more watchable and does more good!’
One Twitter user added: ‘The BBC are happy to allow an overpaid Gary Lineker to post his boring sanctimonious opinions on social media, but let’s boot out Nick Knowles for doing a Shreddies advert.’
Meanwhile, a source told the Sun: ‘Nick is in absolute torment about the whole situation because he loves the Beeb.
‘But they have very strict guidelines when it comes to their talent and advertising and he has already broken them by filming the ads. But Shreddies don’t want to pull the campaign.
‘While Nick is technically a free agent, he appears to have used his connection to DIY SOS in the advert which is totally out of order in the eyes of the BBC.’
The source added that Nick has been handed an ultimatum and his future on DIY SOS may already be out of his hands.
In a joint statement from the BBC and Nick told MailOnline: ‘Both the BBC and Nick are keen to resolve this matter and are working together to seek a solution’.
Nick has hosted DIY SOS since 1999 with each episode seeing a team of builders and volunteers transform a person’s home who was nominated by their friends and family.
Knowles was listed as earning between £300,000 and £349,999 at the BBC in 2016-17, dropping to £230,000-£239,999 the following year.
However he wasn’t listed in reports for the following two years, indicating Knowles earned less than the £150,000 threshold at which his pay is published.
It is not clear how much Nick was paid for his advert with Shreddies.
Rules: The TV presenter, 58, plays a builder in a Shreddies commercial which is said to breach BBC advertising rules (pictured on DIY SOS)
Not happening: Nick previously insisted he has ‘absolutely no intention’ of leaving BBC hit DIY SOS after joining rival broadcaster Channel 5 to present two new shows
Uncertain: The hugely popular show’s future appeared to be in doubt after Nick revealed he would be taking part in upcoming programmes Your Life On Your Lawn and Home Improvements (Nick pictured with the DIY SOS team in 2008)
In the advert, Nick plays a builder who pours a bowl of the cereal into his hat, while calling himself ‘Nick get it done Knowles’.
But the BBC has strict rules for on-screen stars when taking part in on-screen advertising.
One rule bans stars from imitating BBC products.
Under the heading ‘References to BBC Content in Advertisements’, it says: ‘Advertisements or promotions involving talent should not imitate, suggest a reference or connection to or ‘pass off’ BBC content, for example, by replicating any editorial elements of a programme, such as characters, logos, titles, channel names or music or graphics associated with the programme, or by using or directly imitating sets or key venues, catchphrases or format points from the content.’
It also adds: ‘The BBC does not seek to place unnecessary or unreasonable restrictions on talent, whether on-air talent or other production talent.
‘However, promotional activity, which includes commercial advertising and endorsements, must not risk damaging the integrity of the BBC content they are associated with, or risk damaging the BBC’s reputation generally.
‘Nor should those activities undermine the personal reputation of the individual.
‘Promotional work must not suggest BBC endorsement, compromise the BBC’s values, bring the BBC into disrepute, or give the public reason to doubt the impartiality or integrity of BBC on-air talent.’
The BBC has not revealed the sticking point over Nick’s advert.
It comes after Nick previously insisted he has ‘absolutely no intention’ of leaving DIY SOS after joining rival broadcaster Channel 5 to present two new shows.
The show’s long-term future appeared to be in doubt after the star revealed he would be taking part in upcoming programmes Your Life On Your Lawn and Home Improvements.
But the presenter – who is not exclusively contracted to the BBC – has since confirmed he will definitely return, as and when a new series is commissioned.
He told MailOnline: ‘DIY SOS is the most important thing I do and it’s always meant more to me than just a show.
‘To see people coming together representing the best of communities is more important now than ever.
‘I have absolutely no intention of leaving DIY SOS – it’s not just a job for me, we are a family and it has my heart.’
The BBC has since confirmed there are no plans to scrap DIY SOS, while insisting Nick is not obliged to commit himself exclusively to BBC content.
A BBC spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘There is no question that DIY SOS will return to BBC One, and filming will resume as soon as we can ensure the safety of our contributors and volunteers on builds at this time.
‘Nick is not exclusive to the BBC and like many presenters, he is working across a range of services.’
The show first aired in 1999, changing its name to DIY SOS: The Big Build in 2010, and it has been a staple programme on BBC One since.
Shreddies declined to comment when contacted by MailOnline.
From off-screen labouring to on-screen DIY guru (and a rather colourful love life): How Nick Knowles became the face of the BBC’s top home improvement show
Born in Southall, West London, to parents Pat and Eddie, Nick left The Skinners’ School – a Kent grammar school – at the age of 16
For more than two decades he has been the presenter of the BBC’s top home improvements show.
But Nick Knowles does have real experience in the building trade.
Born in Southall, West London, to parents Pat and Eddie, Nick left The Skinners’ School – a Kent grammar school – at the age of 16.
Unsure of what to do with his future, Nick initially pursued careers in rugby, music and acting.
He also held down jobs labouring on building sites, and spent time working in a petrol station and selling shoes and carpets.
Nick later began as a runner in television production, before moving into presenting – starting out as a reporter for Television South (TVS) on nightly show Coast to Coast.
He got his big break in 1999 with the launch of DIY SOS – a home renovation show which he was chosen to front as the lead presenter.
The show’s success brought more opportunities for Nick, who later landed presenting roles in Real Rescues, game show Who Dares Wins and National Lottery show Secret Fortune.
Knowles earned between £300,000 and £349,999 as a BBC presenter for the financial year 2016–2017.
He was also chosen as a contestant for ITV hit show I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here in 2018, finishing sixth.
Nick has been married twice, both times ending in divorce.
He first wed in the 1990s and had two children with his first wife Gillian.
Nick later had a two-year relationship with beauty therapist Paula Beckett-Vass, with whom he had his third child.
Knowles was chosen as a contestant for ITV hit show I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here in 2018, finishing sixth. Pictured left in the jungle with Noel Edmonds
Knowles was married to second wife Jessica Rose Moor (pictured left) from 2012. But the pair decided to go their separate ways after four years of marriage. He was most recently said to be dating then 26-year-old PR manager Emily Hallinan (pictured right), but the pair split in 2020
He was married to second wife Jessica Rose Moor from 2012. But the pair decided to go their separate ways after four years of marriage. They had one son together.
Nick, 58, was that year rumoured to be dating Emmerdale actress Gemma Oaten, before later being spotted on several dates with Towie star Pascal Craymer.
He was most recently said to be dating then 28-year-old PR manager Emily Hallinan.
The pair were spotted together at a performance of West End production Everybody’s Talking About Jamie in 2019.
But the pair split in 2020, with Nick announcing he was ‘single’ in a Valentine’s Day Twitter post.
He tweeted: ‘Happy Valentine’s. And if you’re single like me don’t worry, we don’t have to join in everything every year.
‘I missed National Prune Day, too. Because it’s not the end of the world to be single for a while.’
Nick has four children – Charles, Tuesday, TJ and Eddie.
