A DIY SOS star has claimed the show "wouldn't have worked" without Nick Knowles.
The presenter of the popular show was embroiled in controversy last year when he broke BBC rules after featuring as a builder in a Shreddies advert.
The 59-year-old's appearance violated the broadcasting corporation's editorial guidelines that stipulate actors and artists are banned from appearing in promotional work "in a way which mimics or replicates their on-air roles for the BBC."
READ MORE: ITV This Morning's Gino D'Acampo under fire over International Women's Day remark
Nick was replaced on the makeover show's Children in Need special by Rhod Gilbert as a result of the incident.
The building expert has been allowed back on DIY SOS this year, and his return has been welcomed by co-star Chris Frediani.
He told the Daily Star : “It wouldn’t have worked if Nick didn’t come back. No-one has the passion and foresight to ask the questions he has - he’s a wordsmith.
“The BBC had to be seen to do something but we were in the pandemic and they had no work for Nick. It ran away but it’s all resolved now.”
Chris works as a plasterer on the show and the 52-year-old heaped praise on Nick's commitment to DIY SOS.
He said: “Nick’s right on the front line with you during builds. He comes back after dinner.
“You can’t ask people to do something you’re not prepared to do yourself.
“I call us door openers, as the volunteers – I’ve recently met police officers and IT consultants who took early retirement because of stress - are the ones who push the job over the finishing line.”
Chris has worked on the show since 1999 - and said the team are preparing to work on their final build of the upcoming series.
Receive newsletters with the biggest and breaking TV and showbiz news by signing up here
