After a caretaker claimed his property was left in need of repairs that may have killed someone, the DIY SOS crew was accused of bad work.
Peter Chapman, 64, is a full-time caretaker for his wife and children and appeared on an episode of Nick Knowles’ BBC renovation show last year.
However, he has recently stated that he “wishes I’d never heard” of the show, describing how he was left “in tears” by what he called a “botched effort at healing me.”
‘We’ve been used and well and truly exploited. It was all done for effect,’ he said.
Sarah, 59, and Suzanne, 39, both have Myotonic Dystrophy, a hereditary condition that impairs muscular function.
Margaret, Peter and Suzanne’s other daughter, died of the disease soon before production for the show began three years ago.
But now Peter claims that the repair done on their house was not only subpar, but also unsafe.
Speaking to The Sun, Peter said one notable issue had been wall bars on the loo for his wife and daughter, who both use wheelchairs, coming off the day after the works were completed.
He also stated that a section of the hallway in their Cheltenham house had fallen.
According to Peter, the episodes might have been fatal.
While he was offered £15,000 in compensation, he declined, stating that repairs would cost twice as much, and has since been entangled in a legal battle with the BBC.
‘DIY SOS has robbed me of the last three years and the stress is killing me,’ he said.
‘My wife Sarah and daughter Suzanne have not been able to use the outdoor facilities that were built by DIY SOS because it is now in a dangerous condition, which they were made aware of, and they acknowledged over two years ago but nothing was done.
‘On the first day after taking possession of the house from DIY SOS, Sarah nearly fell in the bathroom, which could have been fatal, when the wall bars around the toilet came away from the wall while she was using them.’
He added: ‘Also, part of the floor collapsed in the hallway, while I was walking on it, which again could have been fatal for my wife or my daughter.’
The BBC argued that the work on the house was legal and that Peter had rebuffed their offers of assistance.
Peter also mentioned a leaking roof, fractures in the patio decking, and an overly steep staircase in the rear yard.
The 64-year-old also blamed the show for a sunk driveway that had to be re-laid, fissures in several of the bungalow’s walls, a lack of insulation in two ceilings, and placing a slick hard floor in the parlour when he preferred carpet.
The full-time caretaker also alleged that producers neglected to return some of his valuable family pictures, failed to put concealed glass in a toilet, and left a breach under a side gate that allowed his dog to escape and momentarily go missing.
He thought the construction, which had been hampered by persistent severe weather, should have been postponed.
As he explained: ‘There were too many people doing too much, too quickly in appallingly wet conditions.’
Peter stated that he urged the BBC not to air the episode due to the continuing disagreement, but that they ignored his demands.
‘I now find it hard to go anywhere because I’m embarrassed, ashamed and feel intimidated about what has happened to me, especially when people ask me about how the house is after DIY SOS did their work,’ he added.
In a statement a BBC spokesperson said that DIY SOS was a ‘heart-warming programme that brings communities together and helps improve the lives of those in need thanks to the hundreds of volunteers who give up their time to participate’.
‘As with all of our previous projects, the Charlton Kings build was planned and completed in accordance with the necessary required regulatory approvals and signed off onsite by building control.’
When Peter denied its offers of assistance, the company stated that it sought independent third-party opinion to examine the property.
While it was stated that different remedies were provided to Peter, he disputed this.
The BBC also stated that it was aware that Peter had made his own house changes since shooting ended, which it was not engaged in.
It stated that it took its responsibility to its contributions extremely seriously, provided Peter assistance, and returned personal belongings to him.
DIY SOS is streaming on BBC iPlayer.
Source My Celebrity Life.
