It promises to be a real tear-jerker.

TV viewers will tonight see a “huge army” of volunteer tradesmen give a dad his life back.

Former policeman Richard Ford, 44, of Holmbridge, was left partially paralysed by a devastating brain stem stroke in 2012.

Richard, father to three young boys, was left with locked-in syndrome for nine months but his determination not to let his family down saw him fight back to health.

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When he was eventually released from hospital, wife Jude, 44, converted the children’s playroom into a bedroom for Richard.

The family was struggling for space until BBC TV makeover show DIY SOS stepped in to help.

A team of builders, joiners, plasterers and electricians descended in February to completely transform the family’s home.

Presenter Nick Knowles led a nine-day race against time which saw much of the interior ripped apart and put back together.

The stunning results can now be revealed ahead of the show, which goes out on BBC1 at 9pm.

Interviewed on the show Jude – mum to Harry, 11, Oscar, eight, and Archie, five – said: “Life experiences make you a stronger person, don’t you think?

“As a dad Richard was absolutely amazing. He was supportive, loving and loyal and we have to get that daddy back. We have to get that husband back.”

With Richard in a wheelchair the family’s home was not fit for purpose and Jude added: “Richard is incredibly strong-willed but he is excluded from many of the things me and the boys do.”

Richard, who learned to communicate again with an iPad voice simulator, had been a marathon runner and his sudden disability left him frustrated.

The TV cameras showed him close to tears as he struggled to get his words out. “I just want to be responsible for myself,” he said.

Nick rallied what he described as his “huge army” of tradesmen and said: “We are building a home so they can build their future.

DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles chats to Richard Ford's wife Jude on the BBC makeover show.

“If we make this happen the kids will have a chance to get their father back and give him the best chance to fight back and spend time with them.”

Jude was only expecting a bigger bedroom for Richard and a wetroom but the results went beyond her wildest expectations.

A porch was added at the front and an extension at the rear. The downstairs was completely altered to include an en-suite bedroom for Richard, a combined kitchen diner with built-in appliances and range cooker, a cosy lounge which can be fully closed off when carers are in the house and a new playroom for the boys.

DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles with the team of tradesmen who transformed the home of stroke victim Richard Ford.

The extension has automatic doors which Richard can control with his iPad. Previously he had to wait in the garage for Jude to come home.

Richard can also control the lights, sockets and blinds with his iPad or iPhone – and his toilet and shower are also remote control.

In the garden dry stone walls have been built and artificial turf laid.

Jude said: “It’s stunning and I don’t know how they got it so right. It’s like something out of a magazine. I don’t know how we coped before.”

As many as 150 tradesmen worked on the house and the family will celebrate tonight with many of those who made it possible.

“We can’t thank people enough,” said Jude.