Revisits Episode 1 The Dengineers

-I'm Lauren.

-And I'm Joe.

-And this is The Dengineers.

The show that puts you in charge of building your very own dream den.

Over the past two series,

we've helped children all over the UK transform their ideas into

amazing spaces.

This is so awesome.

-Epic.

-And now,

we're going back to find out how the dens have changed the lives of the

Dengineers that created them.

It is just more than he could ever have wanted.

Aw, Mum...

This is The Dengineers Revisit.

Yeah!

Wiped everywhere!

Amazing!

Lauren, it was such a good idea of yours,

coming here, down at the beach,

hanging out, getting to know each other.

Well, it takes a lot of hard work making the awesome dens that we make

on The Dengineers. So it is good to, you know,

just sit back and chill out for a bit.

I can't quite believe I'm actually going to be a Dengineer.

I'm such a big fan. I've watched all the shows, I've read the handbook.

-There is a handbook?

-There is a handbook.

-I'd better read that.

-It's massive.

Anyway, what do you think about my amazing sand castle?

No!

Well, that was a bit clumsy, wasn't it?

What is this? "Dear Lauren and Joe,

"you need to get up to speed for the next series.

"So welcome to Build It Boot Camp.

"Happy holidays, love The Dengineers."

Well, there goes your ice cream, Joe.

And this is no ordinary boot camp,

as we've been sent to Europe's biggest construction college

to brush up on our skills.

So while we get kitted up and ready for action,

it is time to rewind back to the beginning and take a look at our

very first build.

Dengineer Ben had just moved house for the seventh time when the team

came along to build him the ultimate survival den.

My dad is a vicar, and because of this,

we have had to move around loads.

I've lived in seven different houses and had to go to four different

primary schools. This move has been the hardest one because I have had

to leave loads of friends behind.

There was no doubt that Ben really deserved his den.

And The Dengineers couldn't wait to surprise him.

And we do like to throw ourselves into a theme,

so it was camouflage on and tent up as we staked out Ben's garden.

-He is coming out the door.

-Is he?

-Yeah.

If you just go round there and have a look, because it's in the...

around the fence.

-Hello.

-Hello.

My name is Lauren, this is Mark.

We are here to tell you that you, Ben,

are going to get to build your very own dream den.

Yes!

This build was a challenge as the den had one very special feature -

an underground bunker.

But thanks to Dengineer Frank, we were soon on our way.

Even Ben got hands-on.

And he was really impressed with the look of his den.

I just thought it would just be plain, like, walls.

But with this it looks amazing.

Building the den was a real team effort and The Dengineers couldn't

wait for Ben to see it for the very first time.

Ben, come and have a look at your den.

Wow!

That's amazing!

I learned some pretty nifty survival skills when we were building Ben's

den, and I am putting them into practice right now.

Don't worry, I am perfectly camouflaged. Come on.

Yeah, perfectly hidden.

Lauren, I can see you, man.

What do you mean you can see me?

I thought I was channelling Steve Backshall.

Look, I've got a bit of nature on me there. Look at that.

So, Ben, what has been going on since I saw you last time?

I hear it has been all change at your house.

Yeah, so my dad has become like a proper vicar and stuff,

so I will be staying here for at least ten years.

Oh, great news.

What was it like seeing your ideas come to life?

I never thought I would get on The Dengineers, but then it happened,

and then...

yeah, this happened. It was so cool.

I love the way that they put it all together.

And used bits like the grass they had dug up for the hole

-to make the mound.

-Which I must say is looking amazing.

And when we ate bugs.

Yeah, that was good for you, because you didn't eat a bug.

That bug was one of the worst things I have eaten in my entire life.

Fact.

Ooh, that's horrid!

Ugh! Dry. Very dry.

Mmm, crispy.

I loved The Dengineers coming so much,

we made like this scrapbook of everything that happened.

It is like going back in time, this.

This is amazing.

Look at you. Look at your hair.

You've grown up so much.

And there is the Den Day Out.

I don't think I have been more jealous of

any Den Day Out apart from that one.

Meeting THE Stevie B!

Yeah, that was so cool. I loved the way he emerged from the grass.

Steve, meet Ben. Ben, meet Steve.

While The Dengineers were hard at work building Ben's den,

Steve showed the boys how to make a very different type of shelter in

true survival style.

I feel quite proud of myself.

And Steve had a surprise in store for Ben.

There is one last tool that every naturalist should have.

So that is a little present for you to get started on your den.

Thank you.

Well, it has been brilliant looking back on some memories,

but right now I think I would love to have a tour of the den.

Are you sure, Loz?

Because Ben's den has become a home for loads of your favourite

creepy crawlies.

Spiders everywhere.

Yeah, looks pretty bad.

OK, so I'm not the biggest fan of spiders.

You are not the biggest fan of spiders.

So, luckily, today we are armed with spider catchers.

-You ready to do this?

-Yeah.

-Go on, then, after you.

-No, no, you.

No, you can go first, seriously.

No, it's fine. Ladies first.

No! No, Ben, you can just get in there.

It is your den, mate.

No, go on, you built it.

SHE SCREAMS

This is horrible. This is horrible.

Oh...!

Run free, you little horror show.

One down, and approximately 126 left to go.

Ugh...

Aargh!

Oh!

Fortunately for us, Dengineers Ollie and Connor have volunteered

to finish off.

-I'm not sure Connor's too keen, though.

-This is the worst.

While The Dengineers finish clearing out Ben's den,

I'm off for a catch up with Mum and Dad.

What do you think the den has done for Ben?

It was brilliant for Ben to see the kind of design of his den and see it

being engineered and take part with the digger and everything.

Look what can be done, really, with some ideas and with good skills.

And I think as well the behind the scenes stuff,

the filming and the sound, I think he was really inspired by that.

So he has gone on to choose media studies as an option next year,

and he makes little films.

And I think it will be something that he will look into

as he gets older.

With the last of the spiders finally given the boot,

Ben and his friends can move back in.

Just in time for a tasty treat.

Knock, knock. Hiya, you all right?

Having fun?

-Yeah.

-Well, come out here. I've just got a quick question for you guys.

Oh, no.

Oh, no, indeed.

It is time for sweet, sweet revenge.

-Really?

-We are going for this boy.

Do you remember that? That was the locust that I had.

-ALL:

-Five, four, three, two, one.

-Ugh.

-LAUREN LAUGHS

I told you it was disgusting.

You didn't believe me, did you?

Now, it's only fair that you eat yours.

No, chance. Hold that for me, boys.

See you later, bye. Not again, not again, not again, not again.

Eat it, come on.

This is Layfield officially leaving the building. See you.

-Come on, you know you want one.

-No, I don't want one.

Being chased by bugs.

And that is why, Joe, as a Dengineer,

you need to be prepared for anything.

Will, hit the button now, go, go, go.

-Wahey!

-Hang on.

-Here we go.

-We're going up.

-What do you think?

-Did you know we were going up?

-You love heights, don't you?

-I don't love heights!

-No, I don't either, actually.

-No.

-They are scary, aren't they?

But, I will say, Joe, you are taking this like an absolute Dengi-ninja.

Dengi-nana, more like. My legs are wobbling. Can I get off now?

Will, back down we go.

Will, I thought we were stopping down there.

-What are you doing, man?

-We're going up.

-This is so high!

Two years ago, we met nine-year-old budding art ninja Nyobi,

who was in serious need of some space.

I love art, especially drawing and sketching.

I'd love to do more art, but I don't have the right materials.

Nyobi's room was cramped, with no space to get creative.

It would be amazing to have a den so I can do all my art in there.

I really need help from The Dengineers.

And help we did,

as we got permission from the housing association

that owns Nyobi's house

to transform her bedroom into a super cool art pad with some

incredible hands-on tech.

Do you love it or what?

-I love it.

-Is it what you dreamed of?

-Yes!

-It is safe to say Nyobi loved her new den.

But the reaction to the series had to go to mum Dawn when she walked in

for the very first time.

Oh...

Oh!

Oh, my...

Is this yours?

Yeah.

Oh!

Oh, I'm going to cry.

Aw, Mum.

I've come back to Manchester to find out how things have changed for

Nyobi and her mum two years on.

-Hello!

-Hi.

-How are you?

So, Nyobi, let's have a little look, shall we?

Wow!

This looks amazing!

Oh, you have kept it in such good condition.

You know what, if this was my room,

by now I'm pretty sure it would all have been a mess.

What have we got around here as well? Your computer.

-How is it working out?

-It is going really good.

Can I have a little look at some stuff you've been doing?

So first of all, I made a game.

I am trying to make it.

No way.

So this is Pig Tails.

She can attack people with her pigtails.

Wow!

So you actually created that?

-Yeah. And this is you.

-That's amazing!

Am I wearing dungarees there?

-Yes.

-There is two little bits of coloured hair.

-Oh, I love it.

-And this is the game.

Oh, my goodness, that is actually amazing.

Oh, that's brilliant.

Look at me and Pigtails just knocking about the grass.

I genuinely don't even understand how you do it.

You are so, so clever.

Also I've created an animation.

This is called Love Is A Mime.

LAUGHTER

Aw...

You made all this?

Yeah.

That is absolutely brilliant, Nyobi!

So you've made all the characters, you filmed all the characters,

-you've then edited the film.

-Yeah.

You've made a title sequence, and you've added the sound effects?

Yeah. I've also been doing this other art as well.

Let's have a look.

Nyobi's den really is being put to good use.

And it is fantastic to see how she is using her art tech to teach

herself new skills.

Take us back to when we first came and saw you guys.

We were literally in your house, in your bathroom,

up and down your staircase.

-What was it like for you?

-It was manic.

My house was taken over.

I was like, what is going on?

But I knew at the end it was going to be magnificent.

I just absolutely knew it.

I still cannot believe it.

I open the door and I go, "Wow".

And like you said, her confidence has come on so much.

-Where do you think that's come from?

-I think that's come from

she's now seen what she can create.

She has got the tools to do it.

And every time she's learning, but she's educating herself as well.

Nyobi's den isn't just a place for her to create art.

It has also become a really important hang-out space for her

and her two best friends,

especially now they are all at different schools.

When we come to Nyobi's then,

it is like a place where we can meet up and talk about whatever we want.

We only get to see each other sometimes cos we've always got

school and stuff and it is really fun because we usually play games

together and we do lots of stuff together.

Nyobi's den is growing with her as she gets older, and watch out,

world, because who knows?

We could have a top-class games designer on our hands.

Oh, I love a good game, and for our next challenge, Joe,

we are going to have a round of true or false, digger-stylee.

-OK.

-Question one, true or false.

When I was a kid, I was a table tennis whizz,

playing the sport for 11 whole years.

What is it?

Yeah, nice work.

Oh, he's going true.

Yeah?

It was, it was true.

-Yeah, I did it right.

-Next one.

-Number two.

-My middle name is Bertha.

There he goes.

He's going false.

It was false. You did it!

Well done!

Once, I tripped up in front of a former Prime Minister before having

to do a very serious interview with him.

True or false?

Oh, he's gone for true.

In you go.

-That is three out of three!

-Yay!

OK, my go.

-All right, digger.

-Are you ready?

-Ready.

Question one, I went to college to learn how to be in a musical.

Nice and high because I don't want to hit the truck.

You're getting it everywhere. That's fine, that, isn't it?

That is in fact...

-true!

-True.

I was 28 when I first tried pizza.

-What's wrong with you?

-Think!

I think that is true.

Ooh... That's fine.

OK. Right, up we go.

Release.

That was good, that, wasn't it?

-That is true.

-Who doesn't have pizza until they are 28?

Question three.

My middle name is Gary.

Joe Gary Tracini?

Oh...

Oh, you're teasing me? Of course you are.

We're going to go this way.

Literally none of that went in, but correct.

Correct. Yay!

Somebody get her out.

When we got an SOS from Joshua last year, we couldn't wait

to spring into action and give him the den of his dreams.

I need help from The Dengineers because I am really passionate about

my music and I really want to be a DJ one day.

Joshua's number one fan is his little brother, Owen.

Owen has Down's syndrome, which means he has a learning difficulty.

Joshua spends a lot of time with Owen.

Owen is like his shadow.

Joshua really needed a space where he could be on his own and practise

his DJ skills.

What if we told you that you are going to come away with us to build

your very own dream den?

How does that sound?

-That is cool.

-We had never transformed a garage before,

and for a very good reason.

They are packed - packed, I tell you - with stuff.

So it was a good job Olga had a big idea for transforming the space to

create a DJ podium.

Let's do a hole in the ceiling.

-What?

-Yeah, why not?

The worst thing he could do would be putting some big hole in the roof.

Well, tough luck, Mum, because once it's Dengineers only,

you have absolutely no control.

-ALL:

-Five, four, three, two, one...

CHEERING

That is amazing.

I have come back to DJ JJ Josh's DJ den in Cardiff to find out all about

the parties we have been missing out on.

I'm gutted, Lozzer - I loved that den.

Hello! Hi, guys.

Are you all right, mate?

Josh takes me straight up onto the podium,

where he's been working his magic on the decks.

How have your DJ skills been coming on?

I have been practising like every day and learning new stuff,

watching videos on the internet, and learning different tricks.

And how has Owen been? It has been so lovely to see him.

Yeah, it has been good. We often pretend to be on the radio,

and this is Owen's mic.

And you've still got your Radio 1 microphone, which I love.

Josh's Den Day Out was a VIP tour of Radio 1.

He got to meet some of the stars.

Come and put your finger over it. Press it now.

And had a crash course from his hero, Annie Mac.

So this is called BPM, the beats per minute.

We want to make this the same speed.

Push that upwards slowly.

There you go. One, two, three, four.

One, two, three, four.

Yeah. That's it.

Josh loved his Den Day Out,

and is putting Annie Mac's top tips to good use in his den.

So while he gets down to some serious practice,

I am off to find out how the den has become a part of the family from Mum

and Dad. Tell me about when The Dengineers first arrived.

We loved every minute of it, didn't we?

To have the whole crew in the house, and everybody was so lovely.

You feel part of the crew for a week, which is really nice.

-Yes, definitely.

-You kind of miss it when it goes, as well.

And what difference has it made for you guys not to have Josh blasting

his music out of his room?

The space out there is amazing because we can't really hear

the music in the house at all.

And, until you walk out there and realise quite how loud it

-is...

-And there's 36 kids hiding out there as well.

-What are you all doing in here?

-It is like a proper disco out there.

-It is amazing.

-What do you think the experience of being on

The Dengineers did for Josh?

I think it has embedded the passion that he already had...

He wanted to be a DJ,

he has wanted to be a DJ for a couple of years,

but sometimes you expect these things to drop off.

This has just really put it more

into his career path of really wanting to be a DJ.

It is clear to see that DJing really is Josh's passion.

All I've got to do now is persuade him to let me have a go.

Lauren Layfield is stepping up to the decks.

It's going to be fine, this. It's going to be fine. Here we go.

Right...

Yeah!

Scratch that and stuff.

Go back to the beginning. OK.

Wait, I'm going to mix it with this bit in a minute.

Oh!

-Yes! Yes!

-No, no, no.

Maybe step aside now and let Josh do his thing, eh?

People up in da house.

Yeah, I'm going to use the words "da house".

Are you ready to party? CHEERING

Yeah! Please let me introduce DJ JJ Josh!

Well done, Dad.

It's great to see that dad dancing is still going strong in Cardiff.

And I've no doubt that DJ JJ Josh will be hitting the airwaves

in the future.

And as for you, Layfield, probably not.

OK, Dengineers boot camp skills.

Let's have a little look, shall we?

Cherry picker, that is a check.

Diggers, yes, tick that there.

Painting, yeah.

Better do a bit of...

Lauren!

I've got a dump truck!

Do you know, this is ridiculous.

-It is amazing!

-Anyway, den assembly, good, yes.

Making tea, always a good skill to have.

Drilling, good one.

"Let me have a go. I've done two series. Let me have a go."

-No.

-Joe!

-No fun for you.

-Joe!

Right, sorry, why am I doing all the hard work?

Why is he having all the fun, eh?

Joe!

My turn.

Meet movie-mad Lola.

Last year, The Dengineers transformed an overgrown area of her

garden and built the Hollywood cinema den of her dreams.

I would really like the den because my mum is in a wheelchair so she

-can't get up to my room.

-Lola!

So this den would mean a lot because we would have that special place to

spend time together.

Lola's mum only became a wheelchair user five years ago,

so when we heard Lola needed a den to spend time with her mum,

we couldn't wait to spring into action.

We even filmed ourselves for the surprise.

I'm Lauren and this is Mark, and we are from CBBC's The Dengineers.

And we are here to tell you - yes, you, Lola -

that you're going to be building your very own dream

Hollywood cinema den.

-Oh, my days.

-Lola's reaction was one of my favourite ever.

That was one mega-surprised face.

Lola knew exactly what she wanted her den to look like,

and her mood board was packed with ideas for a vintage Hollywood theme.

And there was only one designer who could bring the right level of

glamour to Lola's den - Morelle.

If it says Lola's Cinema with like lots of lights around,

-would that look good?

-Yeah. That would look good.

-Am I good to go?

-Yeah.

-Great.

-Lola signed off the den design, so it was lights, camera,

action as The Dengineers worked their socks off

to get the build started.

There were some unusual power tools...

Yes!

-Well done, Lauren.

-Just like bread.

..the occasional hiccup...

We've got a bit of a problem because we can't find the piece of acrylic

we need for the big retro sign that is going on top of the den.

..and time was against us.

There is a lot to paint, a lot more than I thought.

You know, the pressure is on.

But, as always,

The Dengineers delivered the den just in time for Lola's friends and

family to arrive for the big reveal.

-ALL:

-Five, four, three, two, one!

Oh...

Oh, look - "Lola's Cinema".

There were even happy tears.

I'm not upset, I'm happy to see your reaction.

Lola wanted a den where her and her mum could hang out together and

watch films, so I've come back to get the lowdown on whether having

her den has made all her dreams come true.

It is Hollywood cinema den take two.

This looks incredible!

Oh, hello!

How are you? Guys, it is so good to see you.

I always say, everywhere that I go, people always,

always mention the cinema den.

There are a lot of jealous people out there.

How have you been using it?

We've been doing a few shows and some sleepovers.

Movie nights.

And what about the box office as well?

Have you been making people queue up for their tickets?

Yeah. When we had a few of the movie nights,

we made them buy the tickets.

Brilliant. And obviously this place wasn't just for watching films,

this was somewhere which was really important to you so you could

hang out with Mum.

-So how has it changed for you?

-So it has, like, made it so we can come

out here and we can be together.

It means, like, we can spend more time together,

rather than, like, being in two separate areas.

It also means Lola can escape her messy bedroom.

So what about plans for the den in the future?

Actually, tonight, after school,

I've got a few friends coming round to have a movie night.

-What, a movie night tonight?

-Yeah.

Well, in that case, we need to make a poster,

we need to choose some snacks out.

We need to pick a film. Let's get going, everybody.

Give me the microphone. Let's go, people. Let's go, go, go.

Calm down, Lozzer -

you're a Dengineer. You love a challenge.

I know, Joe, but I'm feeling the pressure because this is

a special movie night,

as Lola is raising money for a charity that helped her mum.

There's lots to organise - flyers, a poster and, most importantly,

snacks.

How many people are coming?

Around 13.

OK, so we're going to need a shed load of popcorn, aren't we?

Yeah.

It's popping already. It is so quick.

What was it like when The Dengineers were in your house?

I was just shocked and quite nervous at the start, cos when I met

everybody, I didn't necessarily know them.

But it helped me boost my confidence because I was talking to, like,

new people and doing new things.

What was your favourite bit when you were helping to make the den?

I liked doing the upcycle.

So making the stage.

Yeah!

That is tonnes for tonight. I think it looks delicious.

I did it! I did it!

Nice one. Maybe that'll keep you quiet for a bit.

Oi!

Anyway, while Lola puts out the snacks,

I'm off to help Mum sort out the fairy lights and find out more about

Lola's charity movie night.

Can you tell us a little bit more about the charity she's actually

-raising money for?

-They're a special charity designed

for people with spinal cord injuries.

They teach wheelchair skills classes.

So how to wheel up hills,

how to carry a drink while you're moving around.

Just those little things that,

unless you have been disabled since you were born,

you're going to have to learn, just like you learn anything, I guess.

Yeah. They even taught me how to do wheelies.

No! You can do a wheelie?

Well, not one that I'm particularly proud of!

Right, enough talking and more doing, Lozzer. You need

to get the finishing touches in place if you want to open on time.

-It's going to be so fun.

-I really want to taste the popcorn.

-ALL:

-Yeah.

Guys, welcome to Lola's charity movie night.

CHEERING

Well, I think that is a resounding success for charity movie night.

And how much money have you raised?

-£75.

-£75? That is absolutely incredible.

And there's only one thing left for us to say.

-BOTH:

-That's a wrap.

It's been brilliant having a look back at some of the incredible dens

that we have made over the last two years,

and seeing what our amazing Dengineers have been getting

-themselves up to...

-Lauren?

-Yeah?

When you were talking about biscuits, you said get the biscuits.

I didn't realise the biscuits were all the way up here.

Yeah, I know, Joe, but do you know what? Boot camp is hard work.

So if you could just pass them on down, that would be great, mate.

Now I think about it, I've got the biscuits and you haven't,

so I'm fine. Leave it.

No. Don't you dare.

Here's a square one - it's not for you.

Here's a long one. Look at that long one. You can't have that.

-Joe, just pass me one.

-Not for you.

-Joe, just one more.

-Oh, yay, mmm...

There's a Garibaldi with my name on it.

Don't make me come up there.

Joseph Tracini, bring them back.

They're not for you!