Changing Rooms
| Changing Rooms | |
|---|---|
| Developed by |
Peter Bazalgette Ann Booth-Clibborn Nick Vaughan-Barratt |
| Presented by |
Carol Smillie (1996–2003) Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen (2003–04) |
| Starring |
Linda Barker Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen Laura McCree Anna Ryder Richardson "Handy" Andy Kane Graham Wynne Liz Wagstaff Gordon Whistance Oliver Heath Michael Jewitt Rowena Johnson |
| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language(s) | English |
| No. of series | 17 |
| No. of episodes | 165 (inc. specials) |
| Production | |
| Running time | 30 minutes (per episode) |
| Release | |
| Original network |
BBC Two (1996–97) BBC One (1998–2004) |
| Picture format | 4:3, 16:9 |
| Original release | 4 September 1996 – 22 November 2004 |
| Chronology | |
| Related shows |
DIY SOS 60 Minute Makeover |
Changing Rooms was a do-it-yourself home improvement show broadcast in the United Kingdom on the BBC between 1996 and 2004. The show was one of a number of home improvement and lifestyle shows popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The show was later franchised, generally under the same name, for the local TV markets in the United States, New Zealand and Australia.
The premise of the show was for couples to swap houses with friends or neighbours with each pair decorating one room in each other's homes. This leads up to a finale with both couples seeing their rooms, and meeting up again – almost invariably on still friendly terms. With the show including some top designers, their ideas could be a little over the top, which led to a few tears and tantrums. Changing Rooms was originally hosted by Carol Smillie, and assisting with the remodelling was a Cockney carpenter, "Handy" Andy Kane.
The show began on BBC Two, at 9pm on 4 September 1996, before transferring to BBC One for the start of the third series in 1998. The final edition was broadcast on 22 November 2004 after a successful 8 year, 17 series run. The cancellation was announced on 27 August 2004.
The former designer on the show, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, took over presenting the show from Smillie in 2003 for series 14 and 15. "Handy" Andy went on to host his own DIY shows.
The designers on the show during its run included:
In November 2004, a special episode was taped in Boscastle, Cornwall, for Christmas broadcast. Designers Anna Ryder Richardson, Graham Wynne and Gordon Whistance took on the task of restoring the decor of homes and businesses damaged in the floods of August that year. The episode was broadcast on 28 December 2004.
In one episode, a Linda Barker room was being built to accommodate a large collection of teapots. Overnight, the shelves collapsed, demolishing the valuable collection.
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