Julian Perryman is a British builder, groundworks specialist, company director and television personality best known for his long connection with BBC’s DIY SOS. His practical skill, calm manner and humour made him a familiar television face. Away from television, he has spent most of his working life in construction. He began learning the trade as a teenager, later built his own business and supported community projects.
Who Is Julian Perryman?
Julian Thomas Perryman was born in July 1970. He is British and lives in England. By October 2026, he is 56 years old. He is widely known as Julian or “Jules” Perryman from DIY SOS. His main professional background is in building and groundworks, and he has worked beside Nick Knowles, Chris Frediani, Billy Byrne and Mark Millar.
Julian Perryman’s Early Life and Start in Construction
Julian started working in construction at the age of 16, building houses with his father. This places the beginning of his trade career in the mid-1980s. His early experience gave him practical knowledge of construction and groundwork. Very little has been confirmed about his mother, siblings, childhood home or formal education. His father played an important role in his early career, but his name has not been confirmed.
Julian Perryman and DIY SOS
Julian Perryman became connected with DIY SOS near the start of the programme. Fellow tradesman Chris Frediani has explained that he and Julian were school friends. In 1999, the pair attended an interview at BBC Bristol for a new programme called DIY SOS. DIY SOS first aired in 1999 and later developed into DIY SOS: The Big Build. The team worked with local tradespeople and volunteers to transform homes and community spaces. Julian was valued for real building experience. His role involved construction work, problem-solving and teamwork under demanding deadlines.
Major DIY SOS Projects
Julian took part in many major builds, including projects in Littlehampton, Swansea and the Isle of Sheppey. He was also involved in the Great Ormond Street Hospital project, where a Chelsea Flower Show garden was moved and rebuilt on the hospital roof to create a peaceful space for children and families. In 2021, he was named as part of the DIY SOS team for a BBC Children in Need project in Hull. This confirmed that his connection with the programme continued well beyond its early years.
BAFTA Recognition
In 2019, DIY SOS received a BAFTA Special Award for its creative contribution to television. Julian was named among the programme’s “Purple Shirts” tradesmen, together with other key team members. It is more accurate to say he was part of the team honoured by BAFTA than to call it an individual competitive BAFTA win.
Julian Perryman on The Retreat
Julian’s television work was not limited to DIY SOS. In 2016, he joined Nick Knowles and Billy Byrne in BBC Two’s The Retreat. The programme followed a group of men taking part in a 28-day retreat on Koh Phangan in Thailand, with a focus on wellbeing, lifestyle and personal reflection.
Julian Perryman’s Construction Business
Julian is closely connected with JT Perryman & Co Limited, formed on 7 October 2010. The company remains active. Julian has served as a director since it was created and controls at least 75 per cent of its shares. Its work falls within building completion and finishing, while Julian’s career is strongly linked with groundworks.
Is JT Perryman & Co Still Active?
Yes. Company filings show that accounts covering the year to 30 November 2025 were filed in March 2026. Julian also served as a director of Central Court Buckfastleigh Management Company Limited from June 2012 until September 2022.
Training, Trade Work and Charity Projects
Julian has supported activities introducing young people to construction careers. In 2017, he and Chris Frediani took part in a SkillBuild event at South Devon College. More than 200 pupils had the chance to try trades including carpentry, roofing, bricklaying, decorating and plastering. Julian and Chris helped young people practise plastering skills.
He has also worked with construction students during DIY SOS projects, giving them experience on real building sites. Julian later worked with construction brand Geocel on trade campaigns involving product testing, demonstrations and professional building products. His work also connected him with the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, which supports construction workers and their families during difficult times.
Julian Perryman and Meadowside Charity
Julian has also supported Meadowside Charity in Newton Abbot. In 2022, he helped solve access and parking problems at the charity’s residential site. His groundworks knowledge helped improve vehicle access for staff, deliveries, tradespeople and emergency services. In September 2023, he helped open the Meadowside Coronation Hall with BBC Spotlight presenter Janine Jansen. His involvement showed how his skills have been used beyond television.
Did Julian Perryman Leave DIY SOS?
Julian has been absent from some recent DIY SOS projects, leading viewers to ask about his future with the programme. In 2025, Nick Knowles explained that Julian was taking time to be with his family. There has been no strong confirmation that he was dismissed or permanently retired.
Is Julian Perryman Returning to DIY SOS?
There has been no firm announcement confirming a full-time return. Some television databases still connect his name with DIY SOS because of his long history with the programme, but this does not prove that he has taken part in every recent build.
Julian Perryman’s Wife and Children
Julian keeps his family life private. No strong source confirms the name of his wife or partner. The same applies to his children. Some websites make claims about a daughter, but there is not enough dependable evidence to treat those details as fact. Nick Knowles has said Julian was spending time with family, but he did not give names or personal details.
Julian Perryman’s Parents and Siblings
The clearest known family detail is that Julian began building houses with his father when he was 16. His father’s name has not been confirmed, and little is known about his mother. There is also no dependable detail about whether he has brothers or sisters.
Julian Perryman’s Net Worth
There is no verified figure for Julian Perryman’s personal wealth. He has earned money through construction, television work and professional partnerships, but exact figures are not public. His ownership in JT Perryman & Co Limited should not be treated as the same thing as personal wealth.
Julian Perryman Today
Julian Perryman remains best known as one of the skilled tradesmen who helped make DIY SOS popular with British audiences. He entered construction at 16, built a career in groundworks, joined DIY SOS early and later used his skills in education and community projects. His recent absence from regular television has drawn attention, but his professional record remains clear. He is an experienced builder, an active company director and a familiar figure from one of Britain’s best-known home improvement programmes. His career stands out because television never replaced his trade. Construction remained at the centre of his working life, and that practical experience is a major reason viewers came to know him.
