Entertainment
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen admits he was initially reluctant to return to Changing Rooms: ‘It felt like a bad idea’
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen wasn’t sure about returning to Changing Rooms, but lucky for us, he has (Picture: Channel 4)
Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has admitted he had doubts about starring in the hotly-anticipated reboot of Changing Rooms, fearing it may be a bit of a career step back.
The interior designer and TV star is fronting the revived version of the former BBC show on Channel 4 with Anna Richardson, along with two new designers Jordan Cluroe and Russell Whitehead, as well as carpenter and joiner Tibby Singh.
Laurence was one of the original designers on the show when it launched in the late 1990s before taking over as host after Carol Smillie left in 2003.
But returning to Changing Rooms wasn’t necessarily an easy choice for Laurence, who told Radio Times: ‘I wasn’t sure I really wanted to do it.
‘It felt like I was going back to something I was doing 25 years ago. But that was the moment I decided it was an incredibly good idea.’
He added: ‘One should never say never.’
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Laurence said he felt ‘far too old’ at 57, but later decided a challenge would be good.
‘I initially felt very strongly that I should be growing older gracefully.
Commenting on his famously flamboyant attire, he added: ‘Squeezing into leather trousers and painting walls felt like a very bad idea.
‘But actually, I really like the idea of a new challenge.’
Laurence will be the only face from the original series – which included the likes of designers Linda Barker and Anna Ryder-Richardson, as well as carpenter ‘Handy’ Andy Kane – to return, and the show may be moving from BBC to Channel 4, but he promises it remains full of wit and its loveable punky energy.
There’s a whole new bunch of faces joining the Changing Rooms revival (Picture: Jon Cottam)
He also promises a whole range of leather looks and can be seen in leather trousers in the show’s trailer, something fans of the series may be glad to hear.
‘I have an entirely new leather wardrobe, which has been made by my tailor in the Cotswolds.
More: Channel 4
‘I wear leather for a very simple reason: if I kneel in paint, I can scrape it off. Anyone else, in jeans or cords – those are ruined.’
The first episode is set to take place in Swansea, South Wales.
Changing Rooms launches on Wednesday August 18 at 8pm on Channel 4 and All 4.
Radio Times is on sale now.
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