Interior Design Masters Episode 1 (Part one): Who's Who
Hurrah! It's back! The Apprentice meets Bake Off with added wallpaper returned to our screens this week with another ten aspiring designers hoping to win the 'life changing' prize of the chance to makeover the lovely Watergate Bay Hotel in Cornwall. Alan Carr is back on presenting duties, and once again walks that fine line between bitchy and supportive....and *just about* gets away with it.
The first episode is always a whirlwind, not made any easier this year by the producers mixing the introduction of ten new characters with fifteen (yes, 15!!) room makeovers. I therefore thought it would be easier to split my usual weekly blog into two parts - a handy cut out and keep guide to who's who to begin with, followed by a recap of what actually happened.
So.....which one will you become emulsionally invested in?
ROCHELLE
Loves a bit of bling, studied Interior Design at Uni, and confesses to 'champagne tastes on lemonade money. The production team didn't give her much airtime in Ep 1, so still much to learn. This year's Siobhan?
PETER
An ex-punk hairdresser who on the evidence of the first show likes to rock dungarees with Where's Wally glasses. A sort of Geordie Alan Cumming.
MOLLY
The youngest contestant, 23 year old 'eclectic collector' Molly lives in a home that was described by one Twitter observer as full of 'all the things I bought on Ebay when drunk'
DEAN
Shop Manager Dean was another that didn't get an awful lot of screen time. One thing we did learn, however, that he lives in a house WHERE EVERY ROOM IS PAINTED BLACK.
FRAN
A stylist who appears - on first viewing - as the One To Watch. This means that she will almost certainly be eliminated in Episode Two.
RICHARD
Richard discovered a passion for interiors during lockdown, where he built up a large following on Instagram after painting a mural around his fireplace. He describes his style as 'retrofuturism', and I have no idea what that means.
ABI
Abi describes herself as a 'maximalist upcycler' with a passion for Dolly Parton, so I really hope we get to see more of her on screen soon. Am also in love with her feather cuffs.
BANJO
A jolly goat farmer living on the Isle of Mull, Banjo - who hails from New Zealand - is another favourite of mine. I really hope he continues with the invention of an imaginary client for each challenge.
AMY
A print designer who prefers a pared-back style, Amy's quiet personality hides either a killer designer or possibly just a killer. Time will tell.
PAUL
He describes himself as a 'creative genius' who is 'good at getting my own way'. Possible murder victim (see above).
Interior Design Masters, 9pm on Wednesdays, BBC 1
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