He may not be Canada's best handyman but he's right at the top of the pack.
Burnaby firefighter Todd Wynes was cut from the HGTV show Canada's Handyman Challenge at the end of last week's episode, leaving just six more contestants.
Wynes, a 43-year-old Coquitlam resident, was profiled by the NOW last month after he made the cut to appear as one of the top 12 finalists on the show, beating out hundreds of hopefuls across the country.
Though his run is now officially done, he says he's happy he got the chance to take part.
"It was a great experience, great to meet the guys - they were just awesome - but I don't think I'll do it again," he told the NOW.
"It just fluked out, my vacation time was at that time, so I could go and it all came together - maybe I should go on Canada's Worst Handyman," he said with a laugh.
Wynes took one of the few spots in the western portion of the try-outs with a tool box he built out of a piece of plywood. That project got him a spot at the next round and from there he was told he'd be going on to the show itself, which was filmed over the summer.
In last week's episode, Wynes took part in a team competition building bunk beds. After that, he and a fellow competitor were deemed to be in the bottom two spots - meaning one of them had to go home.
They faced off in a special head-to-head challenge which Wynes ultimately won, keeping his spot on the show for a bit longer.
But that was quickly followed by the next round of competition and, in the end, Wynes was cut.
"It was frustrating, it was an electrical competition and I know that stuff - but it had been a long day (with the head-to-head challenge) and I think I had no gas left in the tank," he said.
Once the episode aired, he got some ribbing from friends and family.
"Especially the guys at work," he said good naturedly. "They were bugging me saying 'what, you know how to do that.'"
He says he has stayed in touch with fellow contestant Frank Waters, who he roomed with during the challenge and is also from B.C.
As for the ultimate winner, Wynes can't say who might take the crown in the end.
But there's still a chance for him to take a different title: Fan Favourite. The show's website on HGTV includes a round-up of profiles on each of the 12 contestants - 11 men and 1 woman - and an opportunity to vote for one of them. The person with the most votes will get the title, which will be announced after the winner is named.
In the meantime, Wynes is hoping his brush with fame will help out a good cause right here at home. The tool box which won him the spot on the show - and was subsequently signed by the show's three famous handymen hosts, Mike Holmes, Scott McGillivray and Bryan Baeumler - will be auctioned off at the upcoming firefighters charitable ball.
That event, the 20th annual ball, will be held March 10 at the Hilton Metrotown, with silent and live auctions, dinner, dancing, and 'casino' games.
For details on the ball, and to get tickets, see http://www.burnabyfirefighters.com/
