Nick Knowles’ emotional return to DIY SOS left viewers “in pieces” as he and his team changed the life of eight-year-old Isla Screaton Kilpatrick — the only child in the UK living with Mandibuloacral Dysplasia, a rare genetic condition that causes premature ageing of her organs.
Born with the unique gene mutation, Isla has faced challenges most adults never will. Her devoted mum Stacey had been warned by doctors that, now Isla is past seven, she could start experiencing strokes or heart attacks at any time. Desperate to make their Leicester home safer and more accessible, Stacey turned to DIY SOS for help.
Nick and his team — including designer Gaby Blackman, electrician Billy Byrne, gardener Ashley Edwards and plasterer Chris Frediani — took on the enormous challenge. They added a rear timber extension, created an accessible lounge, and transformed the upstairs into larger, more functional bedrooms. Isla’s new space included an electric adjustable bed, a retractable low kitchen counter, and even a hidden connecting door to her mum’s room, disguised as a children’s bookcase — allowing Stacey to be nearby in case of an emergency.
The most heartwarming moment came when Nick surprised Isla with a flight at a local airfield for her eighth birthday. As the plane soared above the house, 160 volunteers waved and shouted, “Happy Birthday, Isla!” down below — a scene that left everyone, including Nick, visibly emotional.
Stacey broke down in tears as she said, “Watching Isla walk around her new home, she looked like a completely different person — so independent. You’ve achieved everything I wanted to do. Our future now is going to be so much more comfortable.”
Viewers flooded social media with emotional reactions, calling it “the most moving episode ever.” One wrote: “With all the hate in the world right now, Nick and the team remind us there’s still so much good in humanity.” Another added: “That amazing little girl – her smile, her spirit, her love for life – restores your faith in people.”
