Derbyshire brickies set to hit TV screens as BBC series returns showing fun, friendships and fallouts on the building site

BBC Three’s Brickies is back for another hot summer of building houses and chasing dreams. The first episode of series two of the popular docuseries, which follows the lives and loves of young recruits at Derbyshire-based Hodgkinson Builders, airs at 9pm on Monday, March 20, followed by Episode 2 at 9.30pm. The full series is also available to view on BBC iPlayer on the same day.

The programme shows how life on the trowel is hard, and emotions run high on building sites full of fun, friendships and fallouts.

As well as the banter, it also highlights how Hodgkinson is tackling skills shortages, by encouraging more young people into the trade - with some of the brickies revealing they can earn up to £1,200 for a 35-hour week.

There are some new faces, as well as old ones, and as well as a return to Stoke, the gang are working on new sites - in Mansfield, luxury houses in Leicester and on the building of a 5ft plinth to support a memorial bust of former Derby County player Reg Harrison.

Keeping the brickies in check is site manager Jack Smith, who is originally from Ilkeston but now lives in Giltbrook, Nottinghamshire.

The 32-year-old said: “There are a few new faces - new apprentices and new labourers this time around. The show continues to follow the lives of brickies and labourers as they earn money and pursue jobs and careers.”

The programme proved so popular, earlier this year, Brickies was up against Love Island in the British Broadcast Awards. Both Brickies and Love Island lost out to Welsh language programme Drych: Fi, Rhyw ac Anabledd.

Ian Hodgkinson, founder and managing director of Pride Park-based Hodgkinson Builders, can’t wait to see the new episodes.

He added: “Being a part of it has been so much fun, but it’s also been a fantastic platform in spreading the word about bricklaying as a career and the aspirations of our young workers.

“We had lots of great feedback in particular from females, who had been inspired by Jeorgia and Molly’s determination in Series one. It’s so inspiring.”

For more information about Hodgkinson Builders, or job opportunities, visit www.hodgkinsonbuilders.com