RTÉ have revealed that over 1.6million viewers watched Baz Ashmawy’s “heartwarming” series DIY SOS Ireland, with fans calling for a second series.
The three-part series saw Baz and a team of volunteers help change the lives of different deserving families across the nation by renovating their homes in a number of days, with the final episode airing on Sunday.
On Monday, Baz penned an emotional post to mark the end of the show, thanking the volunteers for showing the good and kindness in people.
Fans of the show took to the comment section to praise Baz for the “uplifting” show, bringing viewers “joy” during a difficult time in the world.
One follower commented: “Really hope this gets recommissioned. It was joyful to watch. All the men and women involved are to be commended. Just what we needed to see after such a shit year. Well done to you all.”
Another wrote: “The best show on Irish TV in a long long time! Truly special. What a team of people involved! Baz you were fantastic with all the families. Hope the show returns.”
Posting BTS photos from the series to mark the final episode, Baz wrote: “Before I hang up my hard hat I just want to say something. Firstly to all the families. I just feckn love you guys.”
“We all do on @diysosireland you deserve all the good fortune you hearts can carry, God knows you deserve it. We’ve learned so much from you all.”
Baz continued: “I want to thank my DIY SOS team for your endless graft. The build team @sycamoreconstruction & our landscaper @peterdonegan and in design @restless.design & @hiddleston_interior_design & @thearchitects.ie but also the huge production team who never get noticed but work like slaves in the background.”
“I want to thank the companies that donate everything and make this show happen. It’s that generosity that makes this show even possible.”
“Most of all I want to get down on my knees and thank every single volunteer that came forward. There’s been hundreds upon hundreds of you. I’ve just never seen anything like it.”
“To witness the good in people and see the kindness you dished out for nothing and always with a smile. I just had the best craic with you all. The sacrifice you gave, away from your lives and your families, just to help neighbours or strangers who needed it.”
“To do the right thing when it would have been so easy just not to feckn bother. I swear, it’s changed how I see our little country. It really has. The empathy you had to come forward and make the difference. And the pride you all took in your work,” Baz wrote.
“Listen, You changed those families lives for ever. I don’t just mean in what you built or created but in the kindness you showed them. I’ve always believed in show! don’t tell! And you showed everything.”
“You showed the families, but most of all you showed the whole country. It was just an amazing thing to witness.It’s been such a privilege for me to be around women and men like you. I’m just so proud to be Irish. There’s such good people out there.”
“See, those families needed to feel love and to feel like some one gave a shit about them when they felt no one did and YOU gave that to them. YOU! F***ing good on you!”
Baz concluded his post with the quote: “‘A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others’ – Wizard of Oz to the Tin Man – & Yea the Gaffer is obviously Dorothy.”
Fans of the show also took to Twitter following the season finale, admitting their faith in humanity was restored after watching the show.
Third episode of #DIYSOSIRL has seen me reduced to a blubbering mess yet again. If anyone needs their faith in humanity restored, its a must. Well done @bazashmawy and all the gang for changing the lives of these families! Hope to see a few more big builds after Covid goes away!
— Aonghus Dempsey (@Aonghusdempsey1) November 2, 2020
Amazing show!! Well done Baz and the team. Life will be much better for this amazing family from now on thanks to the generosity of the people involved. Truly amazing show- bringing out the very best in people😀.#DIYSOSIRL
— Mary o. Connor (@Msfitzoc) November 1, 2020
DIY SOS is easily the best show on telly. Incredible people ❤️#DIYSOSIRL
— Ian Bermingham (@IanBermo) November 1, 2020
If you ever want to see pure joy, Shay’s reaction to finding the washing machine tonight was incredible. An amazing programme, a beacon of hope in dark days. Thank you @bazashmawy & the wonderful people who contributed in every way to making #DIYSOSIRL 💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖💖
— Aisling Crowe (@AisCrowe) November 1, 2020
