Describing it as “one of the hardest and most heartbreaking stories ever”, presenter Baz Ashmawy said last night’s DIY SOS episode helped to restore his faith “at a time when it would be easy to lose it”.
The first episode of home renovation show DIY SOS aired on Irish tellies last week. Starring presenter Baz Ashmawy at the helm, the series sees him work with a team of volunteers to help renovate homes and make them more liveable for those in need.
Forced to cut filming short due to Covid-19 restrictions, Baz was only able to help out three different families this season with last night’s transformation proving to be one of the most emotional yet. Sharing a bit about the story of this week’s episode, Baz took to Instagram ahead of the show writing:
“Tonight’s episode of #diysosireland was one of the hardest and most heartbreaking stories I’ve ever had to be part of as a presenter. I found it so difficult because it was just such a tragedy for such loving young family.
“So many people have to deal with the loss of someone who’s an adored and essential part of their family. It’s just so f*cking unfair.
“I learned a lot from Sinéad Barry. She is a wonderful Mum and such a strong person. I also learned a lot about her husband Michael from all the people on site. What a wonderful man he was and how much he was loved by his brothers and sister and all his family. By his beautiful children Nicole, Rowen and baby Keeva. He was loved by a community and also by complete strangers.
“My heart broke for the Barry family. The only respite or form of remedy was to see volunteers become accountable and take responsibility for a family who were left devastated and fix things for them fueled solely on kindness and love.
“To see them do this for another man and for his family has changed my mindset for ever. The world is filled with wonderful people. Really. I’ve seen it right in front of me.
“If you were in anyway part of this thank you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for restoring my faith at a time when it would be easy to lose it.
“You should watch this. There’s a lesson for everyone in it I promise. Take care of each other.”
Tonight's EP of #DIYSOSIrl was one of the hardest and most heartbreaking stories I've ever had to be part of as a presenter! If you were in anyway part of this thank you from the bottom of my heart, you’ve restored my faith at a time when it would be easy to lose it! 💜 6:30PM pic.twitter.com/A3BFWhBRVT
— Baz Ashmawy (@bazashmawy) October 25, 2020
Striking a chord with people across the country, the episode had a huge impact on viewers who credited it with reminding them of “what’s important in life”.
Sobbing already and I'm not even 5 minutes in #DIYSOSIRL
— Aoife Ní Mhurchú (@Smurfjocks) October 25, 2020
I know it’s supposed to be “only tv” but it’s much more. For the family it’s huge & a fitting tribute to a Husband and Dad. For the community brilliant and for the country – the kind of uplifting (though heartbreaking) tv we need right now 👍
— Tomás Tyner (@TomasTyner) October 25, 2020
Heaping praise on it and describing the show as “the best programme on TV by a mile”, it’s fair to say that Sinéad’s story left a lasting impression.
Means so much to these families and to the volunteers and to the build team and the production and me💜 https://t.co/ZenSQ9nclt
— Baz Ashmawy (@bazashmawy) October 25, 2020
Header image via Twitter/Baz Ashmawy
