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Popular television builder John ‘Cocksy’ Cocks has been inundated with messages and offers of help, following news of the star’s terminal diagnosis.
Last week, the much-loved My House, My Castle and April’s Angels television personality revealed he cancer had been given two years to live.
The 50-year-old was diagnosed with kidney cancer last year, but the disease has now spread to his lungs and spine.
Cocks, father to three girls from a previous marriage, also revealed he was planning to marry is partner of two years, Dana Coote, and was in the process of finishing his dream home in Tairua.
In his interview with The Herald on Sunday, Cocks said the news of his diagnosis had been met with an outpouring of support from mates and well-wishers from around the country, with some even volunteering to help him build his new home.
“It’s been humbling. I’ve been out of the media limelight for quite a while. I didn’t realised people still knew me, noticed or cared,” he said.
Despite it being a tough project to tackle, the builder said he was determined to finish the house on his own.
“I want to thank everyone for their support and appreciate their kindness, but I want to build my own house.”
That’s not to say he will be going it alone. NZME reports the experienced builder has up to 12 mates helping him at varying stages, especially with getting the frame up and the roof on.
But after that, Cocks said he was happy to work on the project alone, and didn’t feel he had to rush it.
Mates from the building industry are also backing him with a number of individuals and companies extending an offer of free supplies.
Along with his many television appearances over the years as a building consultant, Cocks was also the face for Bunnings Warehouse.
This article first appeared on Women’s Weekly.
