Single dad nails the internet with DIY tutorials

A dad-of-two whose DIY tutorials have proved popular on social media is trying to empower others to upskill so they can tackle basic household jobs.

Dean Commodore publishes videos which help teach his nearly half a million followers on TikTok and Instagram how to perform tasks such as bleeding a radiator and hanging a mirror.

DIY Dad, as he is known online, started making videos while renovating his first family home in Ipswich, creating a series called Dad Showed Me.

"In bygone eras, dads and uncles would show young people how things are done," said the 52-year-old.

"My followers say that isn't the case anymore, and that is why I am stepping in."

The proud east Londoner first dabbled in DIY when he swapped the hustle and bustle of the capital for the peace and quiet of Ipswich, which he and his family now call home.

Commodore, who works full-time as a supervisor for a local housing association, films, edits and posts his content in the evenings and on weekends.

His followers tell him which household jobs they want him to film tutorials about.

Commodore prides himself on the interactions he has with his thousands of followers, and is often sent pictures of their projects, which makes him feel like a "proud dad".

"It's a sacred position to be someone's parent and I feel like their surrogate dad - I am their DIY dad, and that is a privilege."

Commodore is a single dad who lives with his son and daughter.

"My daughter asked me the other day, 'dad, why can't you be like a normal dad?', because I know the lyrics and the moves to a TikTok dance," he said.

"She can't believe that her 52 year-old dad is up-to-date with these trends."

Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.