DIY SOS Completes Devon Home After Dad’s Sudden Death

A grieving mother and her three young children in East Devon have finally moved into a completed family home, thanks to the BBC television series DIY SOS, hundreds of local volunteers, and tradespeople who rallied together after an unimaginable tragedy.

Georgie Salmon and her children-Felicity (10), Eliza (8), and Hugo (4)-were left living in a half-renovated property in Feniton after husband and father Chris died suddenly in August 2025 at the age of 43. Chris, a talented carpenter and multi-trade engineer, had been halfway through renovating the fixer-upper home that the young family had purchased to build their future.

A Sudden Tragic Loss and Practical Struggles

Following Chris’s unexpected death, Georgie faced profound emotional shock alongside the immense practical challenge of managing a household inside an active construction site. On top of parenting her three children, Georgie was also helping care for her own mother, who suffers from early-onset dementia.

Reflecting on the turbulent period, Georgie shared that the house felt like it was built on tragedy. However, she emphasized that her children kept her moving forward. Three months after losing her husband, a friend secretly signed her up for the BBC show, setting off a whirlwind process that brought immediate relief to the family.

Community and Corporate Support

Presenter Nick Knowles led the DIY SOS team into East Devon for what he described as one of the most emotional projects in the show’s history. Approximately 600 volunteers, local businesses, and regional tradespeople descended on Feniton to turn the structural nightmare into a safe, secure environment.

Major contributions came from national retailers like Wren, which donated and installed a fully equipped kitchen and utility room, along with customized fitted bedrooms for Georgie, Felicity, and Eliza. Wren employees also volunteered their time on-site, laboring side-by-side with the production crew and community members.

“We’re proud to have played a part in creating the home that Chris and Georgie always wanted for their family, a place where they can feel settled, comfortable and at home again,” said Matthew Weatherill, Wren’s head of contracts installations.

A Bittersweet New Beginning

The transformation was featured on BBC One during the second episode of the show’s 35th series. While the finished house provides the warmth, security, and stability the family desperately needed, Georgie admitted the milestone remains bittersweet because Chris is not there to share it.

Nevertheless, the overwhelming outpouring of community support has allowed Georgie and her children the physical space required to begin processing their grief without the daily stress of an unfinished building site hanging over their heads.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Georgie Salmon?

Georgie Salmon is an assistant ecologist and mother of three from Feniton, East Devon, whose home renovation story was featured on BBC’s DIY SOS.

What happened to Chris Salmon?

Chris Salmon, a 43-year-old carpenter and husband to Georgie, died suddenly in August 2025 while halfway through renovating his family’s home.

Which TV show helped the Salmon family?

The family was helped by the BBC One community build show DIY SOS, hosted by Nick Knowles.

How many volunteers helped with the Feniton build?

Approximately 600 local tradespeople, volunteers, and corporate partners, including kitchen retailer Wren, contributed to completing the renovation.

When did the DIY SOS Feniton episode air?

The emotional episode aired on BBC One and became available to stream on BBC iPlayer on September 29, 2026.