A family who appeared on DIY SOS last night (May 17) say they have received online abuse - after it took two-and-a-half years for their episode to air. A kind-hearted team from Nick Knowles' BBC One show transformed Jackie and Colin Hutchison's home in Corby, Northamptonshire, in October 2019.
But the coronavirus pandemic meant the rest of the series was only completed this year - hence the delay in the Hutchison's programme hitting our screens. Speaking to BBC Radio Northampton, they revealed they were forced to quit social media after receiving abuse - and have even had to change their phone number, reports Birmingham Live.
Jackie said "a lot of things" had been said about her family. "We were the lucky ones to get it just before Covid hit, but unfortunately that meant we've had to wait nearly two-and-a-half years for it to be aired, which has most probably caused all of these problems that have come our way," she said.
"There was a rumour going round we sold our house and moved to Dubai. I'm just thankful that it has gone on air and people can see that we are very much still loving every second of our life in our home and we will never, ever, be selling our house."
Jackie pointed out that "thankfully there's more positive people out there than negative". The pair's teenage son Jordan has cerebral palsy and needs specialist equipment to help him. The 19-year-old also has epilepsy.
Jackie said DIY SOS had transformed their house and "still every day we pinch ourselves. We can't believe we wake up in a home like this. We are thankful and grateful to everybody".
And it has given Jordan a boost. Jackie added: "He's completely independent now in terms of washing himself and going to the toilet himself - it's given him his independence and dignity."
