Family says DIY SOS home 'surpasses all our dreams'

"It's surpassed all the expectations we ever had," said a family who have had their home renovated on the BBC television show DIY SOS.

Ahmed and Rifat Ali and their three children had been forced to live in one room in an unsafe house in Southampton after they paid £72,000 for a ground floor extension in April which the builder did not complete.

The couple, who are both deaf, saw their new "forever home" on Wednesday morning and said it "surpasses all of our dreams and hopes".

They thanked the community and the more than 150 tradespeople and production staff for their help, adding that it had "erased" the memories and the "trauma" of the past, allowing the family to start a "new chapter".

Shahid Ali, Ahmed's brother, said the family were "on the floor" when they were left with an "unsafe" house by the previous builder.

He added: "It has been amazing to see good souls come together, give their time and restore faith and trust in people."

The volunteers have spoken about the "incredible" experience they had helping the family and described how "emotional" they felt on the morning the Ali's first saw their new home.

The episode featuring the Ali's story is due to be broadcast on BBC One next year when viewers will get to see the big reveal.

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