Sort Your Life Out Season 6 Episode 2 – Don’t Look at the Clutter
In this heartfelt episode of Sort Your Life Out, Stacey Solomon and her expert team travel to south London to help single mum Almarie and her daughter Maria reclaim their home and rebuild their lives after loss.
Following the passing of her husband Marcus, Almarie has struggled to manage the home while raising her daughter alone. Now, Stacey challenges them to sort their life out in just seven days, letting go of half their belongings to create space for healing, new memories and a fresh start.
With the support of close friends, the team packs up every item in the house, revealing the full scale of the clutter. Their belongings are then laid out in a विशाल warehouse display, uncovering over 400 boxes, including 156 framed photos, 204 pairs of shoes and more than 2,500 plastic toys.
As emotions run high, Almarie faces the difficult task of sorting through her late husband’s possessions for the first time. She must decide what to keep for her daughter Maria to cherish her father’s memory, while also creating a functional home for their future.
Meanwhile, carpenter Rob transforms the home by converting a small loft into a lodger’s bedroom, helping ease financial pressure, and designs separate bedrooms for Almarie and Maria – including a special stage for Maria’s love of performing. Iwan delivers a deep spring clean, while Dilly implements smart storage solutions to maintain long-term organisation.
With just seven days to complete the transformation, can Stacey and the team create a calm, practical and beautiful home that gives this family the fresh start they truly deserve?
#SortYourLifeOut #SortYourLifeOutS6E2 #StaceySolomon #DeclutterJourney #HomeMakeover
In this heartfelt episode of Sort Your Life Out, Stacey Solomon and her expert team travel to south London to help single mum Almarie and her daughter Maria reclaim their home and rebuild their lives after loss.
Following the passing of her husband Marcus, Almarie has struggled to manage the home while raising her daughter alone. Now, Stacey challenges them to sort their life out in just seven days, letting go of half their belongings to create space for healing, new memories and a fresh start.
With the support of close friends, the team packs up every item in the house, revealing the full scale of the clutter. Their belongings are then laid out in a विशाल warehouse display, uncovering over 400 boxes, including 156 framed photos, 204 pairs of shoes and more than 2,500 plastic toys.
As emotions run high, Almarie faces the difficult task of sorting through her late husband’s possessions for the first time. She must decide what to keep for her daughter Maria to cherish her father’s memory, while also creating a functional home for their future.
Meanwhile, carpenter Rob transforms the home by converting a small loft into a lodger’s bedroom, helping ease financial pressure, and designs separate bedrooms for Almarie and Maria – including a special stage for Maria’s love of performing. Iwan delivers a deep spring clean, while Dilly implements smart storage solutions to maintain long-term organisation.
With just seven days to complete the transformation, can Stacey and the team create a calm, practical and beautiful home that gives this family the fresh start they truly deserve?
#SortYourLifeOut #SortYourLifeOutS6E2 #StaceySolomon #DeclutterJourney #HomeMakeover
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FunTranscript
00:00Sharon, do you like your eye massager?
00:02Are we ever going to use it?
00:03Brian uses it.
00:05Good, but under.
00:07We all hold on to stuff that we just don't need.
00:11It's one of her kids' belly button clamps.
00:13Stop it.
00:14So me and the gang are coming for your clutter.
00:17It's a room of doom.
00:20Oh, my word.
00:22We're emptying chock-a-block homes
00:25and laying out every single item.
00:28My God!
00:29Wow.
00:31I can't speak.
00:33Could you part with half?
00:35That doesn't seem fair.
00:36That's non-negotiable.
00:37This is such a great start.
00:39To transform your home.
00:41Goodbye, whoa!
00:43And let the joy back in.
00:45I'm speechless.
00:47Wow!
00:48Oh, my!
00:50That is going to change our lives.
00:51It's the best feeling in the world.
00:54Mission accomplished.
01:01I was so excited to come to work in London.
01:04I was like, oh, I'm going to get there early,
01:06get home early.
01:07But there's so much traffic.
01:09Quickest commute ever for me today.
01:11Me and the gang are in South London
01:13to help a family say a final goodbye
01:15to all their clutter.
01:16You can fit a bus in there.
01:17Come on.
01:19Oh.
01:21I reckon you're about a foot away from the girl.
01:23I'm not.
01:23It's a wide van.
01:25Oh, did you see the look you just got?
01:28Morning!
01:28Hey!
01:29How are we doing?
01:30Oh, you look so happy in blue.
01:33Nice to see you.
01:33Big hugs!
01:34Come on, come on, come on.
01:35Aw.
01:37So, this is Almarie's house.
01:39She is a single mum
01:40and she lives here with her daughter Maria
01:42and is about to go to secondary school.
01:44This is Almarie's dream home,
01:46but recently money is tight
01:47and she needs to rent out a room to a lodger,
01:49but she cannot do it the way the house is right now.
01:52A lodger?
01:53That's new for us, isn't it?
01:54I know!
01:55Shall we go and see what's inside?
01:57Right, you ready?
01:58Let's go.
01:58Come on, come on.
01:59Oh, okay.
02:00This looks like my hallway.
02:01All we have to do is this.
02:03What?
02:03There's nothing here.
02:05You know what this says?
02:06Done.
02:06The calm before the storm.
02:09In this family home, there are three bedrooms,
02:12a loft conversion
02:13and an open-plan kitchen and living room.
02:17Oh.
02:17I found the stuff.
02:18Oh, wow.
02:20Is this a playroom?
02:21Sorry, Rob.
02:21No, this must be the front room.
02:23I mean, it looks like a playroom.
02:24There are so many toys.
02:26Oh, my God, how many shoes?
02:28Look.
02:28Why have none of these been worn?
02:30These are men's.
02:31More bricks.
02:32More bricks.
02:32Oh, I love this one.
02:33Look how intricate that is.
02:35Tell me you are a proud mum without telling me you're a proud mum.
02:39That is like a time machine.
02:42I love a memory, but how many memories can you have out at one time?
02:46Yeah.
02:47Do we think they're actually watching TV in here?
02:49I think this person that sits on the very edge of this sofa might be,
02:51but no-one else.
02:52So, I do think it's one of those rooms where they have just lined the sides,
02:56but it's starting to spill into the centre of the room,
02:58because there's just no zones.
03:00Right.
03:00Let's keep going, gang.
03:02Well, this is a beautiful kitchen.
03:05Oh, God.
03:06Isn't it?
03:06What is that?
03:07Oh, God.
03:07What is it?
03:10Wow.
03:10Who puts lanyards on a fridge?
03:12Welcome to the world, beautiful baby girl.
03:15This is ten years old.
03:16I think that screams sentimental.
03:18Yeah.
03:18It screams, I'm not able to let go of periods of time.
03:22Oh!
03:23Three toasty makers.
03:24There are more toasty makers than people in this house.
03:28This is definitely the room that they spend the most time in.
03:31Yeah, definitely.
03:31It's just that it's been overrun with duplicates.
03:36Upstairs, Dilly and I find what appears to be a bedroom,
03:40but no bed.
03:41Oh, my gosh!
03:44What is this room?
03:46This must have been a bedroom at some point.
03:48There's wardrobes, a telly.
03:49I imagine a bed went here.
03:50But then what?
03:51I think it's just become too overwhelming.
03:53Stacey.
03:55Oh, this is like macho libre.
03:57Oh!
03:58Dilly!
03:59Dilly!
04:00Dilly!
04:01There's a doll's house up my bum.
04:04You're heavier than you look!
04:05I am not!
04:06You are!
04:07Oh!
04:08You're dense!
04:09Dense!
04:10Oh!
04:11Nice space.
04:12Nice big double bed.
04:13Mm-hmm.
04:15Next door, Ewan and Rob have found the bed.
04:18There's a cot!
04:19How old is Maria?
04:19Maria is ten.
04:20She's definitely outgrown this.
04:22Can we get into this?
04:23Move this out the way here.
04:26Oh!
04:27Oh, it's empty!
04:27Oh, stop it!
04:29You've got babies clothes, kids clothes, adult jackets.
04:33Whose room is it?
04:34Rob, look at this.
04:35My new bedroom.
04:37I love the fact she's put through the middle a footpath.
04:39Yeah, I like that.
04:40Bathroom.
04:42A bathroom.
04:42You've got time to knock in the bathroom.
04:44Yeah, I think I'll be able to...
04:45You can pop one in there.
04:45Yeah.
04:47On the top floor, me and Dilly have found another room full to the brim.
04:52From one dumping ground to another.
04:54This is the loft.
04:55I do find these rooms are hard to know what to do with because they've got pivoted ceilings.
04:59Another car seat.
05:00The third car seat.
05:01Baby books.
05:03I feel like literally nothing is leaving.
05:05Everything that's ever been in this house has remained in this house.
05:09Why?
05:1041 belts!
05:11She is like the heavyweight champion of the world.
05:17There's no bedroom in here.
05:19No bedroom downstairs.
05:20All these bedrooms and not one is a bedroom.
05:24Outside, Ewan and Rob have discovered a time capsule of forgotten clutter.
05:30Rob!
05:32Look at all these chairs.
05:34One, two, three, four, 19, 20, 21.
05:38Rob, I'm so confused.
05:40DJ Dex.
05:41The vibe was held in this room.
05:43This is all motorbike stuff.
05:44This is screaming man cave.
05:47Man cave.
05:48Now furniture showroom.
05:49Yeah.
05:50I found this.
05:51Oh, ma'am.
05:54No, I'm actually wedged.
05:55Stacy!
05:57Dilly!
05:58Whoa!
06:00Can someone tell me why there is just a room full of seating?
06:05Did something happen at some point where you just forgot to let go of stuff?
06:09Yeah.
06:09We went into two bedrooms and did not find one bed.
06:12What did you find?
06:13Well, the bedroom we were in had a double, so maybe both of them were in that room.
06:16Yeah.
06:16So they are rooms that are just housing stuff.
06:19Right, let's get out of here and meet this family and find out exactly what is going on.
06:23All right.
06:23Hello!
06:26Hi!
06:27Hi!
06:28Nearly as tall as me.
06:30How are you both?
06:32Excited.
06:33Are you?
06:34Yes.
06:34Oh, good.
06:34That is a beautiful house you've got there.
06:37Incredible.
06:38It's gorgeous.
06:39It is full.
06:40Yes.
06:41Yeah.
06:41How long has it been like this?
06:43Years.
06:44Oh!
06:46Maria has not got your back.
06:48Who's the messiest person?
06:49Maybe I'll say my mum.
06:51Please?
06:52But you keep perfume bottles that are out of these.
06:59Alan and her husband Marcus bought this South London semi 11 years ago.
07:03I grew up in the very tall high rise on the 19th floor.
07:08My background and Marcus's are very similar.
07:11His parents didn't come from money.
07:13And so when we moved into this house, it was a big achievement for both of us.
07:19The talent developed.
07:21When Maria was born the following year with a chromosomal condition, Al gave up her career
07:25in the city to support her.
07:27Well done.
07:28My mum does everything.
07:31She cooks, she cleans, she takes me to school.
07:34Come on, Maria.
07:36And with a part-time job, the time at home allowed Al to fulfil a long-held ambition.
07:41I always wanted to foster.
07:43Knowing that I've had friends that have grown up in the care system,
07:46speaking to Marcus about it, he said, why not?
07:49Because we would love to give back.
07:51And so we started fostering.
07:54Maria would always call them her siblings.
07:56She's like, come in, sit down.
07:58Can I get you something to drink?
07:59It was just lovely just to watch them together.
08:06But when Maria was just six years old, family life changed overnight.
08:11In December 2021, Marcus was unwell.
08:16It came to light that he had a diagnosis of bile cancer and that had spread to the liver.
08:26It looked like it was going to be a busy week.
08:30They had said survival was five years, but he passed away within the two months.
08:42It was very surreal because it was like one moment, life was perfect.
08:47And then the next day, the whole dream just shattered.
08:52Maria, quick, quick.
08:53Yeah?
08:54I've just seen the rainbow.
08:56During that time, Al's childhood friends, who'd known her for over 45 years, stepped in.
09:01And it's not even rained.
09:03It's not even rained today.
09:04It's like Daddy's Rainbow, like your book.
09:06I honestly don't know where I would be without Nat and Vanessa.
09:10They stayed here.
09:12There was a rota where they slept on the sofa and helped me.
09:14They said, you can't do this on your own. It's a lot.
09:17It was a very traumatic time.
09:20But we all just did what we had to do.
09:23Normally wine, but hey.
09:25Since Marcus has passed away, the house has really taken a back seat.
09:29We've tried over the years, but we've been tiptoeing around on eggshells.
09:35But now I feel like they're ready to start looking forward to the future.
09:41You've had a really difficult time over the last few years.
09:44It's been three years and I need the weight to be lifted.
09:49Just to remain in the same house, but with a fresh start.
09:53Yeah.
09:53That is why we are here.
09:54But for us to be able to actually help transform it into a house that's functional.
09:59Yeah.
09:59We need you to let go of at least 50% of what's in the house.
10:03Yeah.
10:04I'd say 98% of chairs.
10:06Yes.
10:06Oh, my God.
10:07So shall we get packing?
10:08Yeah.
10:09Yeah.
10:13Hey, girls.
10:13Hi, girls.
10:15Hi.
10:15I'm Stacey.
10:17Hi.
10:17Silly.
10:18With just 12 hours to pack the entire house.
10:21It's really full girl power.
10:23Me and Al get cracking in the memory filled living room.
10:26Let's start anywhere.
10:28If you see something, let's pack it.
10:30As you can see, I've got lots of pictures everywhere.
10:33Oh, yeah.
10:33Every picture you've ever taken, I think, is up in this front room.
10:37This is Maria's domain.
10:40I can see.
10:41This is where her toys, all the Lego.
10:42Be careful not to walk barefooted so you don't step on any.
10:46Me and Marcus fostered for five years and that's why we've got so many toys.
10:50That makes more sense.
10:51I do think this is a lot for one child.
10:53Yes.
10:54If I stopped fostering after Marcus passed away, it was a lot for me on my own.
11:01I never thought I'd become a single mum and it's something I've had to adjust to.
11:06Financially, it's very hard.
11:08Going down to one income and having to pay the mortgage, it's a massive struggle.
11:14Yeah.
11:15I can't see something.
11:16You've taken on a massive mortgage.
11:18Did you ever consider downsizing?
11:21Yeah.
11:21I'd be looking every evening because I'd be so stressed out and it would upset Maria because
11:26she would see me looking at houses.
11:27Especially with her SEN needs, she needs to be in a familiar place.
11:33And coming from a council estate, me and Marcus worked so, so hard and put a lot of
11:38love and effort into this home.
11:40You don't want to let it go.
11:41Would that feel like you'd let Marcus down?
11:44In a way, yes.
11:45Nat and Vanessa actually suggested getting a lodger because I do have a spare room.
11:49Yeah.
11:50Then it would be that second income that you really need.
11:52Yes.
11:53But obviously you can't have a lodger as the house is now.
11:56No.
11:57And then you do this.
11:59Yeah.
12:01Yeah.
12:02Couldn't work it out.
12:03There's only one double bed.
12:04When Marcus passed away, Maria stayed in my bed and now she's ten.
12:10And to be honest, it's been like a comfort, I think, for us both.
12:16What's it like sharing a room with your mum?
12:19The idea that sharing a room with your mum.
12:21Yeah.
12:21We found a book here, your notes.
12:24Bedroom set up.
12:25Would your mum be in this one too?
12:27That's me.
12:27Oh, okay.
12:28As much as you love sharing with mum, you want your own space.
12:31Oh, that's the thing.
12:34What?
12:35What?
12:37Well, I think it's because you have like lots of garlic and onion.
12:41Here you go, Nat.
12:43Careful on the stairs.
12:45We can't have any injuries now.
12:47A couple of hours in and we are on a roll.
12:50Oh, my God.
12:52There's a space she will fill it.
12:54Ooh, look at all of these.
12:56Do you reckon that's a fake?
12:57There is so much of Marcus's stuff here.
12:59Have you ever been through any of it?
13:01No.
13:02I've not faced any of it.
13:03Do you definitely feel ready for this process?
13:06I do.
13:07Yeah.
13:07It's time.
13:09Maria looks at me as her role model and I just want her to see her mum in a happy
13:14place.
13:16What would Marcus say?
13:17He'd be looking down at me and he would have said this a long time ago, Al, it's time to
13:22let go.
13:23He only wanted me to be happy.
13:25He always made me happy.
13:27He treated me like a queen.
13:28He was amazing.
13:32You are a queen.
13:34Let's wait till we get to the warehouse.
13:36It might be another story.
13:38Don't you set me up like that.
13:40Marcus, set up.
13:42With two vans already on their way to the warehouse.
13:45I don't even remember this.
13:46Nat and Vanessa are packing the decades of clothes lying untouched in Al's wardrobes.
13:51I remember Al, 14 years old, wearing this and looking so proud.
13:57I never got to borrow it.
13:58I don't think any of us did.
14:00Oh, she wouldn't let anyone.
14:02I finally get my moment.
14:04Yeah.
14:05Al's very sentimental.
14:07So who do you think is going to be on my side in the warehouse?
14:10Do you think you're both going to be tough?
14:12It is Nat.
14:13I'm going to be a bit like, oh guys.
14:15I used to keep bus tickets and stuff.
14:17Do you remember because there was this boy that I liked, so I got this bus ticket.
14:19Growing up, this one here to my right was definitely the goody two shoes of the bunch.
14:25Polished.
14:26And then Al was a little bit of the cautious one.
14:30And I was the one that was pushing a few boundaries.
14:33Who is even playing tapes anymore?
14:36Oh my.
14:36So this tape is over 30 years old.
14:38Wow.
14:39Almarie at one point fancied herself as a bit of a DJ.
14:42Did she?
14:43DJ Virgo.
14:43DJ Virgo.
14:44DJ Virgo.
14:46She's been somewhere before and then gone up to the DJ booth.
14:49No.
14:49And said move over.
14:50No.
14:51I love that.
14:53Honestly, we are halfway through packing and we're not halfway through this house.
14:57How strong are you feeling?
14:58Very strong.
14:59The vibe is so good.
15:00Whoa, whoa, whoa.
15:01You made that look like light work.
15:02Right V, let's do this.
15:03I feel like I'm part of the girl tribe.
15:05How old are your kids?
15:06My kids, 32 and 28.
15:08What?
15:09I also really need to find out their whole skincare routine.
15:12You're 50?
15:13Oh, I'm not going to look like you when I'm 50.
15:15Yeah, all three of us.
15:16We look the same age.
15:17No.
15:19I'll just have to go for this look.
15:24Let's put the baby bath in there.
15:28Oh my God, this was my favourite.
15:29I loved it.
15:31I can't put it off any longer.
15:32What's with the empty boxes?
15:35It's time for me and Nat to face a furniture warehouse.
15:38What is this room, Nat?
15:40Originally, this was Marcus' man cave.
15:43So why are there so many chairs and pieces of furniture in here?
15:46After Marcus passed away, Al was talking about having an art centre
15:51for grieving children to come and get creative.
15:55So she did actually start making this like an art room.
15:58As much as it was a beautiful idea,
16:01she just didn't have that energy and drive.
16:05She's still processing it.
16:05Yeah.
16:06She'll never get over the loss of Marcus and either with Maria,
16:09but Marcus would want Al to live a bit more.
16:13I feel like she's putting on such a brave face.
16:15She does.
16:17Oh.
16:18And she does that a lot to protect Maria
16:21and just to show Maria that Mum's the strong one,
16:24carrying them through.
16:26Hi!
16:30Right.
16:31Let's start pulling things out.
16:33I'm going to take the double buggy.
16:37It's all hands on deck as the final van gets ready to leave.
16:41Right, Maria.
16:42We've got to get these on the van. Let's go.
16:44They brand new again.
16:46Maybe worn once.
16:47Worn once.
16:48You'd think she lives in the countryside.
16:52Well done.
16:53Oh, wow.
16:53Look how much stuff.
16:59Al has never looked through Marcus's staff.
17:03So I think that will be difficult for everybody
17:05and we're just going to have to go at a pace
17:07that they're comfortable with.
17:09This will make a huge difference to their financial situation.
17:13There's an opportunity for Al to have someone living here
17:16paying towards the mortgage
17:17to make sure that they can stay in this house.
17:19And I think that's a massive extra reason
17:22as to why we are doing this.
17:28Kitchen.
17:30Arts in Prague.
17:31I'm just worried who's going to be hard on me.
17:33Who do you think is going to be hard on you, Al?
17:35Oh, come on.
17:35Dad!
17:37Oh, my goodness.
17:39Yay!
17:40Morning!
17:41Morning!
17:43Oh, you're very nice.
17:45Hello, darling.
17:46How is everyone?
17:47I'm a little nervous, I'm not going to lie.
17:49Are you?
17:50Yeah.
17:50Sympathy pains.
17:52Should we go and have a look?
17:53Yeah.
17:54Yeah, let's do it!
17:56Come on!
17:57Three, two, one.
18:00Oh, my God!
18:03Wow!
18:08No way!
18:12Out of 370 boxes unpacked from our Maria's home,
18:18we found 156 framed photographs,
18:22204 pairs of shoes,
18:25and 2,765 plastic toys.
18:31Welcome home!
18:33I can't believe I filled this warehouse.
18:35This is unreal.
18:37I don't know how I would have done this by myself.
18:39I don't think anyone can do these things by themselves.
18:43It's okay to turn around and go,
18:45actually, I really need some help with this.
18:47Yeah.
18:48Can we start?
18:49Can we start?
18:50I like this attitude, Maria.
18:52I love it.
18:52We will get started ASAP.
18:54But first, I want to know how many seats you have got in your house.
18:5853.
18:59What?
18:59What?
18:59Oh, my goodness.
19:01We can have our own conference.
19:03I told you.
19:03You could literally host the next big meeting for the UN.
19:06I can't.
19:07Shall we go over to toys?
19:09Yeah.
19:10Maria, you have 157 dolls.
19:14I only had three dolls.
19:16Two Barbies and one Cindy.
19:18Are you overcompensating?
19:19Yeah.
19:20Yeah.
19:21We could probably choose our favourite ten.
19:23Does that sound good?
19:25Mm-hmm.
19:26I'm going to burn this sucker down.
19:32Bye-bye.
19:34Bye.
19:35Is she a keep or?
19:37Bye.
19:38Oh, goodbye.
19:39Wow.
19:39Well done, Maria.
19:41Because Maria is doing so well,
19:43I want to tackle the little bits and bobs that we all tread on.
19:46Oh, yes.
19:47Thank you, girls.
19:49So, I know you love your bricks.
19:52Hi.
19:52Do you have some favourite ones that you would love to have up in your bedroom?
19:55So, um, this one.
19:57Favourite.
19:57This one.
19:58I really love Lego.
20:00Daddy made that one for you.
20:02Oh, wow.
20:04Did Daddy get you into bricks?
20:06Yeah.
20:07My dad really liked Lego.
20:10I said that he should go on Lego Masters.
20:13Yay!
20:14I found this hair again.
20:15Ah.
20:16This one, Marcus built.
20:18He loved to build with Maria quite a few pieces that she's still got today.
20:24He was like a big kid himself.
20:25He was an amazing father.
20:29Maria adored him and he adored her.
20:32I think for her, it's having the memories of her dad in the house is the most important thing.
20:39If we want to keep all this, I think that's absolutely fine because it's your hobby.
20:42Do you want to play for a little while or do you want to keep going?
20:45Well, let's keep going.
20:46You want to keep going?
20:46Mm-hmm.
20:47Well done, Maria.
20:48No matter what our let's go of that Marcus is, we are going to keep it safe.
20:53And over the next few weeks, if she regrets letting anything go, she'll have the opportunity to say,
20:58I really need that back.
20:59What's your favourite doll's house?
21:01Because I think instead of Eleven, we should probably have one special one that we love and play with all
21:05the time.
21:05This one was on loan.
21:07From where?
21:08A friend.
21:09That's from Auntie Nat.
21:10So many dolls.
21:11Oh, I see.
21:13Auntie Nat.
21:14Because Maria only had ten doll's houses, you're like, let me just loan her an eleven kwan.
21:20It's coming straight back.
21:22Well done, Maria.
21:22To the Nat residence.
21:25At Al's house, the team has plans to give Maria her dream bedroom.
21:30I think the fact that they were both sharing, which is completely understandable, meant that the room was just so
21:36full of stuff.
21:37I think they both said they're ready now for their own space.
21:39Maria is definitely ready.
21:41Oh, yeah.
21:42She has the design.
21:43She wanted her workspace.
21:44I think the en suite might be a little bit ambitious.
21:46It might be a bit ambitious.
21:48But I do think we need to give her all of the other elements that she's dreaming of.
21:51Oh, she was teaching us a dance routine and she loves singing too.
21:54Somewhere in here, she can dress up and then have her mic and kind of, like, perform and practice.
21:59Oh, yeah.
21:59She would love that.
22:00Be the superstar that she is.
22:01Exactly.
22:02We've got our wardrobe and then we'll have our dressing table there.
22:05Okay.
22:05And then over here, that's where we'll have the stage.
22:07Piece de resistance.
22:08Piece de resistance.
22:09Exactly.
22:09All right.
22:10We always like to make stuff multifunction, so we're going to have storage underneath that
22:13stage.
22:14We'll be the backing dancers.
22:15Right.
22:15Come on.
22:16To the left, to the right.
22:17That's it.
22:19It's going to be fun, this room.
22:21Pop stars are divas, so get it right.
22:23What?
22:24Are you going to be a singer when you're older?
22:26Well, I wanted to, but then I wanted to be a vet and for some reason I wanted to join
22:30the army.
22:31Do you know what?
22:32I never wanted to join the army, but I always wanted to be a singer or a vet.
22:36How weird is that?
22:38We're like twins.
22:40With almost half the day gone, it's time to divide and conquer.
22:44Oh, okay.
22:45While Maria and Nat tackle the books, we're battling the excess in the kitchen.
22:50First question.
22:52Why?
22:53Why so much stuff out?
22:55It's family life, isn't it?
22:57I think we choose a set for you and Maria.
23:00Yeah.
23:00And then you have like enough for guests.
23:03Yeah.
23:03Okay.
23:04So if you've got two of your plates, if there's a set of like eight, you keep those.
23:07And so we're hoping to get a lodger at some point.
23:11Yeah.
23:11So I think you need an empty cupboard for their stuff.
23:14Yeah.
23:14Let's go.
23:16How often do you all meet up and go around to ours?
23:19All the time, if we can.
23:20Do you?
23:21Almarie's been like that since we were at school.
23:24Oh, really?
23:25Yeah, my mum had that open door policy.
23:27And her mum used to let us just raid the kitchen.
23:29Do you feel like you've inherited that from everyone?
23:31Yes, the house of the feeder.
23:32Yeah.
23:33Did your parents have this much stuff?
23:35Yes.
23:36I don't understand because it's not like we had much.
23:38I think because they worked so hard, it was like their achievements.
23:42And there were certain things you couldn't even touch.
23:44Like there would be plates like this in a cabinet and it'd be like,
23:47no, we're saving that for special.
23:49Do you feel like you've adopted that?
23:50Yeah, I think definitely.
23:52My mum came over to this country from Jamaica with two suitcases that I still have.
23:58My dad, the same, but they didn't have much money when they came over.
24:02And they did say to me, it'd be nice one day if you could actually own your own home.
24:07And so that was always my goal.
24:09They were very proud of me.
24:11So, OK, we're going to keep.
24:12If you're keeping this lovely blue set, you don't need any more plates.
24:17You've lost quite a bit and then that's chips.
24:20So then you've only got two actual plates.
24:21OK, get rid of it.
24:25I'm keeping up though.
24:26I hope you're all still friends after this.
24:28I know.
24:28Maria, you're doing amazing.
24:30We've done two sections.
24:32Well done.
24:33Well you done.
24:34Do you like this plate that mummy's got?
24:36This is the one that grandma bought you.
24:38I don't think I've actually seen it before.
24:40I did not foresee the kitchen being the sentimental room in the house.
24:46I haven't even seen her used her.
24:49She's calling you out, Al.
24:50Yeah.
24:50Which one are you referring to?
24:53Ooh, look at the tone, the tone.
24:57That's travelled miles.
24:58These pots have come all the way from Jamaica.
25:01My mum used to cook with these.
25:02How many pots do you have?
25:05What are you asking her for?
25:06Three Dutch pots.
25:07No, no, you've got more than that.
25:09How many pots have you got?
25:11Nat and Vanessa are like our sisters.
25:13You can make gravy in one pot.
25:15So close and it's no different to family members coming into the warehouse.
25:20Hold on, hold on, hold on.
25:22Supposed to be on my side, Maria.
25:24Sorry.
25:25We can't sort our life out.
25:27If you're not going to let go.
25:28Let go.
25:29Yeah.
25:30You're going to have to do this.
25:31You've raised such a strong, independent, incredible woman.
25:35This is your fault.
25:36Okay.
25:37You need to watch.
25:38Watch.
25:39Let it go.
25:40Ooh.
25:41Oh, well done, Al.
25:43No, this is good.
25:44This is the push that I need.
25:50I'm so glad we all survived Kitchen.
25:52Yeah.
25:52You did really well.
25:54Everyone's still friends.
25:56At the house, the gang are on a mission to turn Al's art studio dream into a reality.
26:02I know that after Marcus passed, Maria really embraced drawing, so having an amazing art studio, she can invite her
26:09friends here.
26:10Oh, I like the idea of that.
26:12You know those pottery cafes?
26:13Yeah.
26:13All colourful and creative.
26:15It should be that kind of vibe.
26:16Yeah.
26:16Vibrant.
26:17Yeah.
26:18With the plan set, Rob also has a massive task ahead of him in the loft room.
26:23This is the Perlin wall.
26:25Unfortunately, we can't open this up because it supports the weight of the roof.
26:30The biggest space is this section here.
26:32So the plan is to open up this space and have a wardrobe in here and see whether I can
26:38make the opening even bigger, which equates to even more storage.
26:44Now, doesn't that make a huge difference?
26:48You're amazing, like shooting cars.
26:52You're amazing, like racing cars.
26:54You're amazing.
26:56Yeah.
26:58Woo!
26:58You're amazing.
27:00As the day pushes on, we are making headway.
27:03Right, hold on.
27:04I'm ready to run home.
27:05Go slowly.
27:05And while Maria is in safe hands with her aunties, it's time to tackle the hardest section of the day,
27:12Marcus's belongings.
27:15We have tried to get everything of Marcus's all in one place so that you cannot be surprised by it
27:21dotted around the warehouse.
27:22Yeah.
27:22We are not erasing Marcus.
27:25We want to bring him back to the house with us, but we just want to bring the most important
27:29things.
27:29You okay?
27:30Yeah.
27:31Okay.
27:33So, when we came into the front room, I would say the first thing I saw were shoes.
27:39Yes.
27:40Shoes upon shoes upon shoes.
27:42Yeah.
27:42I tried these on in there.
27:43They're quite interesting.
27:45We actually went to Jamaica and this was for when we were climbing Dunge River Falls.
27:49Do we think we need to hang on to those?
27:51No.
27:51No.
27:52Okay.
27:52D&G.
27:53So bougie, Marcus.
27:55Yes.
27:55You can really get a sense of who Marcus was.
27:59Those we can donate.
28:00Okay.
28:01I think these I'll keep.
28:04Perfect.
28:05These are what Marcus wore to our wedding.
28:08So you'll keep those, aren't you?
28:09Yeah.
28:09Fine.
28:10That's perfect.
28:11Maybe I might like to keep the flip flops.
28:15Just for something for me to keep by the door.
28:19Yeah, because I'll probably end up wearing them.
28:22Just to run into the garden and back again.
28:24Yeah.
28:24And if that brings you comfort, I think.
28:26Yeah.
28:27You're doing so well.
28:28This is such a great start.
28:30Yeah.
28:31Should we go to the motorbike section?
28:35Yeah.
28:36What was it about motorbikes that he loved?
28:38He's always loved motorbikes as a young boy.
28:41He was a risk taker.
28:42Hmm.
28:42I'm glad that he got to take many risks and for fully's life.
28:47Yeah.
28:48Yeah.
28:51It's very severe.
28:52I still feel like I'm in a dream.
28:54It hits me when I go to bed at night, because I'm behind closed doors and no one sees me.
28:59Do you feel like you have to put on a brave face?
29:02I feel like that.
29:03I've always been the strong person and I think I get that from my mum.
29:06Is that helping you to hold it all in all day long?
29:10No, it's not really.
29:11I'm just constantly on the go, just keeping routine.
29:15The same for Maria.
29:19I didn't actually tell Maria her dad passed away until four days later, because I was digesting
29:26and how I was going to explain it to her.
29:30A friend of mine brought me this book called Daddy's Rainbow.
29:34I made sure she ate her lunch first.
29:38At the end of the book, I said to her, so, Daddy's now in heaven.
29:43Her reaction was like, what?
29:46And then, I think like ten seconds later, you know, she fell into my lap.
29:52It was the worst thing.
29:54I only lost my mum five months before that and then Marcus, it was weird because he actually said to
30:01me,
30:01he goes, I want you to get some help.
30:02I think he knew because of losing my mum and knowing what was going to happen to him,
30:08how am I going to cope?
30:13Sorry.
30:14I'm so sorry.
30:16I'm so sorry.
30:17Wow.
30:23I'm so sorry.
30:25Do you want to take her five minutes?
30:33You have been coping. Look what you've done.
30:36Look at your beautiful daughter and how just incredibly well you're dealing with everything.
30:42You've done such an amazing job.
30:44I just don't know how I got through it. I don't know how I did it.
30:47You made it happen.
30:51This is good for me because Marcus would want me to move forward and Maria as well, give her the
30:57best life.
30:58You are giving her the best life. Don't you question that?
31:01Yeah.
31:01You're an amazing mother.
31:03Want a cup of tea or something?
31:05Do you want the girls?
31:07Yeah, it will kind of bring a smile to my face.
31:10Do you want to get them in then?
31:12We just have to take it at Al's pace because it's about honouring Marcus in the best way we can.
31:19You thought I had a lot of coats.
31:21And making sure he comes back to the house with us but also making sure Al and Maria have the
31:27best life moving forward.
31:30Oh, we love these.
31:32Oh, Marcus.
31:35Yeah, look.
31:36He rocks this.
31:37This is mine.
31:39What?
31:39Me and you join that ladies own gym.
31:41Is this from the gym?
31:43Instead of going to the gym we used to park outside, then go off and get waffles.
31:47What am I saying?
31:49After an emotional but productive afternoon, there's only half an hour left.
31:54Right, grab what you can girls, let's do it.
31:59Right, ready?
32:00To the pile.
32:00Let's go, let's go.
32:02Go Maria, go!
32:03All of these tapes have definitely given us Lady Virgo vibes.
32:07Marcus wanted a hobby for both of us.
32:11Why don't you start learning the decks?
32:13Oh God.
32:14Why not?
32:14Definitely.
32:15She'll do something for you.
32:16Oh my gosh, next year you'll be in Ibiza.
32:19On the decks.
32:21Do you remember that party?
32:23Just day ones, right?
32:24One more minute, gang.
32:27Right, let's go guys, to the piles.
32:31Whoo!
32:32Well done.
32:33Yes!
32:34Wow, Maria.
32:35Look at this pile!
32:37Well done, Maria.
32:39You absolutely smashed it today, okay?
32:41That was so good.
32:43I actually feel like a part of the girl group.
32:45I know I'm not day one, but I'm like a day, how many days in 50 years?
32:50Yeah.
32:51Time for a rest, and then it's Dilly Day tomorrow.
32:54Dilly Day tomorrow.
32:56Al is a phenomenal woman, and she's been through so much.
32:59And after today, I want to see Al do something for her.
33:03I want to see Lady Virgo back.
33:05That's what I want.
33:06I want to get Lady Virgo back on the decks, doing stuff for herself,
33:09feeling lighter in life.
33:17It's early doors, and the sorting's already underway.
33:21That was your knees?
33:23Yeah, that was my knees, but the crack.
33:25Morning!
33:26Now Dilly's arrived to up the ante.
33:28I'm here to crack the whip a little bit harder.
33:31I'm a bit worried.
33:32Don't worry, I'm firm but fair.
33:35Yeah.
33:35Wasting no time, the first task of the day
33:38is tackling Al and Maria's mammoth clothes section.
33:42Imagine this in a wardrobe.
33:44It's a department store there.
33:46You need to shop your rails,
33:48but no one needs more than a rail of clothes.
33:51Condense it to one.
33:53Okay.
33:53Does that still fit you, Maria?
33:55No.
33:56Yes, this is the energy we need.
33:58Yeah, they can go.
33:59Good girl.
34:00Straight into the wheelbarrow.
34:01Two tables clear already, this is good.
34:03All of school uniform can be donated back to the school.
34:06This is good.
34:07I wasn't expecting this.
34:10Right, we have 55 coats.
34:12We need to reduce to ten at least.
34:14My gosh, you're harsh, Dilly.
34:16Go on now, you can do it.
34:17I think if we're thinking about coats,
34:19there's coats for different seasons, isn't there?
34:21There is, yeah.
34:21Think about what you're rotating as well.
34:23We keep three coats down each season,
34:26and we pack away the rest.
34:27Okay.
34:27To decide which ones are going to stay
34:29and which ones we let go of,
34:30why don't we do a little fashion show of our coats?
34:32Yes.
34:32Because if it doesn't fit and it doesn't look great.
34:35Let's start with this one.
34:36Let's see your best strut.
34:38That's a keep.
34:39You need to probably strut for this coat if you want to keep it.
34:42Yeah.
34:42There she goes.
34:45I would fully wear that.
34:47Oh!
34:47Woo!
34:48Yeah, nice!
34:50This is like 20 years old.
34:52This is funny.
34:52It's, yeah, it's had its time.
34:54You did wear it the other day, right?
34:57Yeah, so why didn't you say anything then?
34:58Oh!
34:59Well, no, we're just...
35:00That other coat you had on was lovely.
35:02You're supposed to give me your honest opinion.
35:03Yeah.
35:03I think this has had its days.
35:05Oh, you're saying no?
35:06Yeah.
35:06Yeah.
35:07It's had its time.
35:08Right.
35:09Ten coats, ten minutes.
35:11Help me.
35:11Oh, God, this is brutal.
35:13It's good that my friends can just speak to me straight on.
35:17This is from, like, the 90s.
35:19Way old.
35:20It's been challenging with them.
35:22Yeah, that has to go.
35:23Put it in.
35:24Let's go in.
35:24Come on, we've got ten minutes.
35:26What?
35:26They're getting me through.
35:28Ten, eleven.
35:29OK.
35:30That's good.
35:31Can that pass?
35:32Yeah.
35:32Please.
35:33Do you love it?
35:34I do.
35:34OK.
35:35Oh, look.
35:36The cardigan.
35:37This holds a lot of memories.
35:39My mum used to drag me out shopping every Saturday,
35:42and we went East Street Market, and I saw this on the rail,
35:45and I was like, Mum, I want that cardigan, please.
35:48I feel like you need to bring it back out if you're going to keep it.
35:50Yeah.
35:52That's it.
35:52Teamwork.
35:53Makes the dream work.
35:54This is amazing.
35:56This is the best I've ever, ever seen.
35:58Look at all of these empty rails.
36:00This is just incredible.
36:03Well done.
36:05With teamwork proving to be the winning formula.
36:07Welcome to the chair sanctuary.
36:10Dilly turns her attention to the biggest mystery in the warehouse.
36:14Where did all these chairs come from?
36:15I haven't seen that.
36:16What was that?
36:17Some of them, yeah.
36:19I haven't seen that.
36:19Why, why, these chairs are yours?
36:22They are, they were temporarily at Al's house.
36:25Do I need to come and sit with you?
36:27Yeah, yeah, yeah.
36:28Our storage facility, I'm very sorry to announce, is closed.
36:32I'm closed.
36:32You have got 24 hours to pick up your belongings and take them away.
36:38Back at the house, Rob is making massive strides on Maria's stage.
36:43I like to make the most of every square inch.
36:46So underneath the stage is going to be storage.
36:49Dilly's going to be happy.
36:50Maria is going to be ecstatic.
36:54While Rob cracks on outside.
36:55I'm going to add a little bit of sparkle.
36:59Ewan is adding a special touch to Al's new bedroom.
37:02When we're playing around with paint, sometimes it can feel like a bit of a commitment to do an entire
37:06wall or, you know, a big surface area.
37:08So I'm just going to paint the inside of the door.
37:12If you have got a colour that you want to try out and you're not brave enough to do a
37:15full wall, this could be a nice way to introduce it.
37:18Oh, this looks so good.
37:20It's like giving your door a little bit of lipstick.
37:28And there you have Maria's brand new stage.
37:33Woo!
37:35Maria, your mum loved this.
37:37Oh, mummy!
37:39That's my Phi Master!
37:41Three sections down and attention turns to Maria.
37:44Shall we have a little look at your very vast art collection?
37:49How much drawing do you do?
37:52I'll just draw at any time.
37:54As Dilly swaps D clutter in for doodling.
37:57Let's draw each other.
38:01I don't know if the legs are long enough, though.
38:04That is very, very good.
38:05Actually looks really like me.
38:07Well, there's a hell of a lot of highlighters.
38:10It's a good idea just to choose one pencil case and think, right, that one's all my pencils and that
38:15one's all my pens.
38:16Has drawing been a huge part of her life?
38:19Yes, it has since Marcus.
38:22She'd always be drawing as a family.
38:24Marcus is always there.
38:26Yeah.
38:26Like a halo over his head.
38:29Oh, OK, yeah.
38:30Yeah.
38:32She'd put, like, a little message at the bottom to say, you know, daddy's in heaven.
38:36It's always something to say he's happy.
38:38So, for her to put those words on paper, it's really like, wow.
38:42And that's why I started looking at art therapy classes for her.
38:47The waiting list was so long.
38:48So, the plan that me and Nat had was, like, for kids in the daytime and adults in the evening.
38:53Because I think it's good for the children to talk amongst themselves what they've been through.
38:56I think it's lovely that she's been able to find this to express herself, that she can draw and that
39:01she can create.
39:02Yeah.
39:03She's an amazing kid, isn't she? She's been doing so amazingly well today.
39:07Very, very strong-willed.
39:08You must be so proud of her.
39:10Yeah.
39:10She could have drawn me with longer legs, I'll be honest.
39:13I'm a little bit upset about that.
39:15We have got half an hour left!
39:18These are going.
39:19No, no, they're staying.
39:20See, I don't even know if you really know what's staying and what isn't.
39:23I do!
39:25Those need to go, those need to go, those need to go.
39:27Oh my gosh, no.
39:28No, what about those ones?
39:29Go!
39:30Right, everybody, five more minutes.
39:33That is it.
39:34Quick, quick, quick!
39:35Get rid of all baby stuff!
39:37You don't have the space to be able to keep this cot.
39:40No, I'm not going to have this in my rear's room.
39:42So we can say goodbye to the cot.
39:43Yeah.
39:44This is like supermarket smooth.
39:45Slow down!
39:46Seven, six, five, four, three, two, one.
39:58Two days later, and with a little help from friends,
40:03Al and Maria have reduced their belongings by more than half.
40:08Well done!
40:09Well done!
40:10Honestly, all of you, that was so incredible.
40:13Sweet!
40:13It was so tough!
40:14Aw, thank you!
40:16It's like we don't want to hug each other after that!
40:18I know, I know!
40:27Morning, morning, morning!
40:29Woo!
40:30After two epic days at the warehouse, we are back and raring to go.
40:35How massive does it feel in here right now?
40:37It's like we've pushed the walls out.
40:39This is Al's dream house that she bought with Marcus that they worked so hard to achieve.
40:44We need to bring it back to life.
40:46Yeah.
40:46So that Al can have a lodger here and they can get that extra income that they need.
40:51Yeah.
40:51What are you all going on to?
40:52I've got some tweaking of a few bits and pieces here and there, but I'm in a good place.
40:56I have brought my steamer in today and I'm going to go on a dirt hunt.
41:01Yeah!
41:01Right, come on everyone!
41:02Alright!
41:03Let's do it!
41:04Let's go, let's go!
41:05As Ewan fires up the steamer, Rob's making the most of every inch of space in the lodger's
41:11room.
41:11This is the base of our pull-out wardrobe and I'm just attaching these really heavy-duty
41:18runners to the base of the tray.
41:20So unlike a conventional wardrobe that you have to open the door and then go inside with
41:25this one wardrobe comes to you.
41:31Outside, I'm combining my craft and DIY skills to create a centrepiece for the art room.
41:38I am making a table.
41:40Not just any table, a pencil shaped table.
41:43So if Maria and Al do decide to host classes for families who have been through bereavement,
41:50then they'll have a big table to sit at and to be able to do little art classes.
41:59They're beautiful!
42:03And this is how you make the best use of your leave space and make it look really cool in
42:10the process.
42:11In the kitchen, Ewan's found a water filter in need of some TLC.
42:16It's really built up under here and this is one of those areas that you don't often see.
42:21So I'm just going in with a toothbrush and the white vinegar is breaking down all of the
42:25lime scale and then this little bit of washing up liquid will just work as a degreaser.
42:30So every time you're wiping all the handles of your fridge, just give that area a little
42:32wipe too and that should stop that lime scale building up.
42:36While the team organised and cleaned downstairs, Dillys and Maria's room building some seriously
42:41smart storage brick by brick.
42:45Maria absolutely loves building bricks.
42:48It's something that she used to do with her dad.
42:50So I thought, let's create her a little on the go folder.
42:53I've got my lever arch file here.
42:54I've got my base plate here.
42:56I'm going to peel this off.
42:57It's got some self-adhesive so you can just stick some of that to it.
43:00So it's a desk on the move, which is great.
43:03She can literally grab this and when she goes to her auntie's house, she goes over to
43:07friends, then let your imagination run wild.
43:10It seems like everything's all right.
43:13I'm feeling quite confident about my areas.
43:16I don't care about anyone else's.
43:18Ewan!
43:18Yeah?
43:19Eggies!
43:21Look what I've just found.
43:22Ooh!
43:23This must be an off cut from the kitchen countertop.
43:25Is that just behind me?
43:26Yeah.
43:26Right, let me give you a hand.
43:27Ready?
43:28Yeah.
43:28One, two, three.
43:29Oh, wow.
43:30Yeah, it's heavy, isn't it?
43:32Yeah, it's nice.
43:33Can we use it somewhere?
43:33I'm thinking for a coffee table.
43:35Ooh.
43:36I think this would look lovely inside the livery.
43:40Yeah.
43:40Perfect.
43:41What a find.
43:42Give me a D.
43:43Give me an A.
43:45Give me a Y.
43:48Day ones.
43:49I am excited.
43:51I'm making this big frame and it's going to say day ones because that's what Al and the
43:56girls call each other because they have genuinely known each other since they were two and eight
43:59years old.
44:00So I'm making a big old poster about it.
44:02I've got these cheap craft letters and I'm going to glue them onto this canvas and then
44:07I'm going to paint the whole thing so it all blends in and it'll be up on the wall.
44:12Oh, listen to that.
44:18That is clean.
44:19Out in the garden, Rob's kicking things off with his salvaged marble.
44:23It's an extremely hard material.
44:25This kicks up a lot of dust.
44:28So in order to try and minimise that, you use water in the process.
44:35In the lounge, I'm cooking up something special for the one and only DJ Virgo.
44:41I'm making a little DJ station on the back of one of their storage units.
44:47How cool is that?
44:48By day, it'll be handy storage. By night, it'll be DJ Virgo's DJ station.
44:55The vibe in the house today, I don't want to jinx it but it's okay.
44:59I think we got off to a good start in the warehouse.
45:02We've come back and it's not too overwhelming but there is still a lot to do.
45:06I think we've just got to keep the pace up.
45:10This is the thing dreams are made of.
45:13With more than half the day gone, time to rally the troops and see where we're at.
45:18Deal! Yes, yes, yes, yes.
45:21What needs fixing?
45:22Nothing, nothing, nothing. There's no panic.
45:24He's ready.
45:25I feel we've got a little bit behind in the kitchen area.
45:28It's not looking good.
45:30We need to sort out what chairs are going where.
45:32I started them and then I got distracted and I went to the bedroom.
45:34I'm just finishing the bedroom and then I can come back down and help you.
45:37It's fine.
45:37You just don't want to sit back and get to the end of the day and be like,
45:40oh my gosh, we've done nothing in here.
45:42Okay.
45:42So, all hands on deck.
45:44The team's locked in.
45:47Time to keep things rolling.
45:49We've got over 20 different products here and actually a lot of it does the same thing.
45:54I've got five essentials that you can pretty much clean your entire home with.
45:57We've got white vinegar, bicarbonate of soda, washing up liquid, which is a fantastic degreaser.
46:04A little bit of bleach.
46:05You can disinfect your entire home with just a cup full of bleach diluted in water.
46:11And then I've got some essential oil and that's it.
46:13Basically, all your cleaning supplies should fit in something the size of a bucket.
46:17The cot bed is back, but I'm actually going to turn it into a day bed.
46:21And I don't think many people know that they can become a different piece of furniture.
46:26You've just got to make sure it's worth the space.
46:29So, I'm taking off this side of the cot and that will become a little seating area from the rear.
46:36And then actually use it.
46:38Whatever you are organising, always use your container.
46:42You're going to fold it to the right size of that corner there.
46:46Fold them up and fold them up again.
46:49And look at that.
46:51That is perfectly in that space.
46:54While Dilly folds to her heart's content, I've got time to create a memory box for Al.
46:59So, these are the things in the warehouse that she picked out that remind her the most of Marcus.
47:04I'm going to put this basket up there on the top of the wardrobe so she knows that all of
47:08those special things are within reach.
47:12Another hour on the clock and even Rob's closing in on the finishing touches.
47:17Bang!
47:20We have not taken our foot off the gas today.
47:23Let's not stop now.
47:24You've got them up.
47:25Yeah, start getting loads of stuff out of here.
47:27Can this go?
47:28Yep, that can go.
47:29Yeah.
47:30Let's get it in the corner.
47:31Yeah, ready?
47:32Yep.
47:33Oh, it fits perfectly as well.
47:34This floor is atrocious.
47:36Pencils on the ward.
47:37Woo!
47:38That looks cool.
47:38Oh, guys, we are so close.
47:41Oh, where's the risk?
47:42Oh, the table.
47:43Good to go.
47:44Rob!
47:45Rob!
47:45Come in, come in, come in.
47:46Anyone want to grab this leg?
47:48Yeah.
47:48Hold on, hold on.
47:50Yep, yep, got it.
47:50Hold on.
47:51Got it.
47:51Oh, you guys got it great.
47:53I think it's the best thing I've ever made.
47:58Oh, you couldn't see the floor.
47:59You couldn't see the ceiling.
48:00It was just covered in chairs.
48:01It was just a chair garage.
48:03Is that us?
48:04It feels like it.
48:05Is that us done?
48:06Oh!
48:06Yay!
48:07Woo!
48:08This is it!
48:09We're here!
48:09Yes!
48:10Oh!
48:11Oh, Dante.
48:17Yeah!
48:19Oh!
48:21Hello, darling.
48:23Look at you wearing the cardigan out!
48:25I know!
48:25That makes me very happy.
48:27How are you all feeling?
48:29Excited?
48:30I'm really, really excited.
48:33Yeah!
48:34Do you want to go see it?
48:35Yeah!
48:36Come with them!
48:37You two go first.
48:40Right, you ready?
48:41Yeah!
48:42Come in to your front room!
48:45Oh, my gosh!
48:45That is so cool!
48:48Oh, my gosh!
48:51Just a week ago, this living room doubled up as a play area,
48:55leaving no room to unwind.
48:59Now cleared from clutter and zoned, our Maria have a space to relax and play.
49:05This is so amazing!
49:07I hope this is at your house.
49:09Oh, my gosh!
49:10Where did you find that picture?
49:12We wanted it to be like a little wall of your life.
49:15It's absolutely beautiful, Stacey.
49:18Girls, you're up there!
49:19Yeah!
49:20Yeah!
49:20I love that one of Marcus on the moped.
49:23Oh, my God!
49:24Is this so beautiful?
49:25Do you know what that is?
49:26Yes!
49:26From the garden?
49:27It was in the garden.
49:28It was in the garden.
49:29This was my old kitchen workshop.
49:31Yes!
49:31That is incredible.
49:33There are two baskets down here for, like, donating and recycling toys.
49:37So, as time goes on, and if there's any toys you think,
49:39oh, I'm not really playing with that, you put them in these baskets,
49:42and when they're full up, you can sell them or donate them.
49:45And then, there'll be space for new stuff.
49:48That's well organised.
49:49Are you happy, Maria?
49:51Yeah.
49:52It's the name of my soul.
49:54Yeah!
49:55Do you like that?
49:55Yeah!
49:59You had this perfect alcove here that we thought we'd section off
50:03and turn into a zone for, like, schoolwork.
50:05Yeah.
50:06Oh, my God.
50:06Honestly, it's not what I imagined at all.
50:10I can't believe this is my house.
50:13While the kitchen's been organised and tidied,
50:18upstairs, I'm excited to show Maria her new bedroom.
50:21Wow!
50:25Maria!
50:27A week ago, this space was home to both Al and Maria.
50:32I don't know what to say. I'm lost for words.
50:35Now she's off to secondary school,
50:37she has a bedroom that's ready to take the next big step with her.
50:41What do you mean?
50:42I didn't realise when my room was going to be like this.
50:46Dillia's organised all of your drawers,
50:48so now all your clothes are neatly hung up.
50:51You've got a picture of Mummy and Daddy and you.
50:54And lots of other pictures inside there,
50:56so she can switch them around.
50:58Get them out and look at them whenever you want to.
51:01Oh, my God!
51:01And you've got your favourite pieces of Lego.
51:03We found your notebook.
51:04With your dream room in it,
51:07Rob didn't have quite enough time to build the bathroom.
51:09But he did build you your very own stage.
51:14Yay! Get the mic out!
51:16I can't believe this.
51:17This is a dream.
51:20Woo!
51:22Oh, it's stunning.
51:24The colours.
51:25What is that?
51:27There!
51:28Oh, my goodness!
51:29Oh, wow!
51:31Oh, my God!
51:32Look at this!
51:33It's like a stage!
51:35It is.
51:36Maria!
51:37Oh, my goodness.
51:38So I know that it's a really big step,
51:40get in your own room,
51:41a room in your bed,
51:42and if you ever get worried,
51:44you can walkie-talkie, Mummy.
51:45No way.
51:46Oh, that's so cool!
51:47Yeah.
51:48Snacks.
51:49Roger.
51:49Yes, hippie snacks.
51:51You're amazing,
51:53like shooting stars.
51:54You're amazing,
51:55like racing cars.
51:57You're amazing.
51:58You're amazing.
51:59Yeah!
52:01Woo!
52:04We've turned the upstairs room
52:06into a cosy space for a lodger,
52:08complete with a pull-out wardrobe
52:10built into the eaves.
52:14Come in
52:15to your new bedroom.
52:18And the room that once housed no beds
52:20and over a decade's worth of clutter...
52:22I love the colour.
52:23..is now a soothing spot
52:25where Al can relax.
52:27I can't believe this is my room.
52:28This is the same bed.
52:29Oh, shh!
52:30Can I sit down?
52:32Yes!
52:33Finally sit down and relax!
52:35I know!
52:36Oh, my gosh,
52:37and you've changed all the...
52:38Wardrobes around.
52:39Yes!
52:40Oh, my gosh!
52:41We tried to add some little gold touches,
52:42cos we know you love gold,
52:43so you unpainted this.
52:45Oh, my gosh, yes!
52:45I just love the whole colour.
52:47Marcus was very colourful,
52:49very bright,
52:50but I was very neutral.
52:52But I think I need this injection of colour.
52:54Bring a bit of Marcus in it.
52:55Yes.
52:57You and Maria,
52:58you did so brilliantly.
52:59I cannot stress that enough.
53:01Yeah.
53:01You made our jobs so much easier,
53:03because you were brave in the warehouse,
53:06really brave,
53:07and I think you don't give yourself enough credit.
53:09Yeah.
53:10What do you reckon Marcus would say?
53:13He'd be patting me on the back
53:14to say, well done, Al.
53:16This is definitely a new lease of life.
53:18I mean, the memories of Marcus would never go,
53:21but it's letting go of a lot of that clutter
53:23that I don't need.
53:25Thank you so much.
53:29Outside, I've got a surprise I can't wait to share.
53:33Come in to your art room.
53:39Oh, my God, they made your art room.
53:41Oh, my God.
53:42They made your art room.
53:43It was incredible.
53:45Seven days ago, the outhouse was a furniture showroom
53:48piled high with chairs and sofas.
53:51Oh, wow.
53:53It is stunning.
53:55Really stunning.
53:56I love this orange chair.
53:57The orange chair.
53:58We thought, in homage,
54:00we'd keep one of your beautiful orange chairs.
54:02Thank you very much.
54:03I love it.
54:04Are you OK, Al?
54:05Yeah.
54:07This is going to do so much for young children like Maria
54:10that just want to come and express themselves.
54:12It's like the best gift for Maria and for other children.
54:16I did not expect this.
54:18This has blown my mind.
54:20This is...
54:20It's amazing.
54:21Is that Rob?
54:22Picture.
54:23We all drew a picture for the art wall.
54:25Oh, really?
54:25Oh, my gosh.
54:27Dilly's still devastated by the way that you made her so short.
54:31I built that.
54:32No.
54:33I did.
54:34I made this.
54:35So creative.
54:36I was really proud of this.
54:37I love the fact that all of Maria's Lego is around the room.
54:42I know the car meant a lot to you.
54:44And you did so well letting it go.
54:46But I looked at it and I was like,
54:47you know what?
54:48We can make something out of that.
54:49And the kids can chill in there.
54:51Yeah.
54:51It'd be like a sofa for them.
54:53Amazing.
54:53And you get to keep that memory as well.
54:55Yeah.
54:56Marcus built this room specifically for his bikes.
55:00Loved it.
55:01He was so proud.
55:02And after he passed away, this room was sitting full of storage.
55:07And now this has a purpose.
55:10Yeah.
55:11I have got one more thing to show you.
55:14Now that you have got this beautiful space in here...
55:17Oh, my gosh.
55:17Yeah.
55:18What is it?
55:19Oh, my God!
55:21Oh, my gosh!
55:22Dilly!
55:23Oh, my God!
55:24Oh, my God!
55:25That is hilarious.
55:27Love it.
55:27Oh, my God!
55:28Go on, get behind it, Al.
55:29Yeah!
55:31Oh, my God!
55:33Oh, my gosh!
55:34No way!
55:36By day, it's storage.
55:38By night, it's DJ Virgo's DJ booth.
55:41Oh, my gosh, that's amazing!
55:42They're out there.
55:43This is amazing.
55:45Oh, my God.
55:46And now you can actually do something for you.
55:48I really want you to get DJ lessons.
55:50Yeah, yeah.
55:50I really want you to go and do something that makes you happy.
55:5330 years later, everyone's going to be like, it's finally happened.
55:57It's happened in my 50s.
56:00That was incredible.
56:02I am so buzzing.
56:04Dilly, you and hurry up before the club doors close.
56:07Security don't let you back in.
56:09They loved every single bit of every little thing in every room.
56:14For us, that's why we do it.
56:15There's no better feeling than knowing that the person you've just spent a week with is going to wake up
56:22tomorrow and be just lighter.
56:24Ready?
56:25We are family.
56:27Yeah, yeah, yeah.
56:29I got all my sisters with me.
56:33And now I'm going back in there because they're all having a party without me.
56:36DJ Virgo's on the mic.
56:38Bye.
56:40There he is!
56:44We love the house.
56:45Absolutely love it.
56:47Beautiful.
56:48We've been trying to come up with names for the art studio.
56:50I came up with the colour club.
56:53We've opened it up to friends and family and they've absolutely loved it.
56:57Little DJ Virgo.
56:59Al has changed.
57:00She seems lighter.
57:02Happier.
57:03Yeah, definitely.
57:03And Maria as well.
57:04Yeah.
57:05Maria stayed in her room.
57:06Al was like,
57:07Maria, you know you can come and hang out in my bedroom.
57:10And she's just like,
57:12No, Mummy.
57:12I'm good.
57:13I'm good.
57:14I've got my own space now.
57:15Yeah.
57:16This house is very much one that we can live in again.
57:20And it's absolutely amazing.
57:22Well, there's no more cut in front of the chimney, so Santa Claus has a freeway down now.
57:27LAUGHTER
57:34Details of organisations offering help and support with bereavement or cancer
57:39are available on the BBC Action Line website.
57:57We'll see you next time.
57:58Bye.
57:59Bye.
57:59Bye.
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