Restoration Man presenter George Clarke knows the BBC really liked his Channel 4 series.
In fact, he reckons they fancied the format so much they pretty much nicked it by launching Restoration Home!
“Our first series had just gone out and been a success and they jumped straight on the bandwagon,” George told The Sunday Post.
“I don’t even think they’ve apologised in any way. They knew exactly what they were doing although I think they could have been more inventive and different with the title.
“It’s a straight carbon copy.
“I think Caroline Quentin is lovely, but she’s got nothing to do with restoration.
“I saw her being interviewed and when they asked if she’d done restoration she said she’d done up her house once.
“Come on, it’s a shame but that’s the BBC for you throw someone like that at it to add the wow factor.
“I do the series because I genuinely love old buildings. I’m an architect and I’m passionate about it.
“But I suppose anything that gets restoration out there could be good.”
George will be getting passionate about property matters at Ideal Home Show Scotland this month.
“I’ll be doing talks and seminars about how to improve your home and what you can do in the current economic climate,” said George.
“There are three or four things that can make a difference.
“Tired-looking kitchens and bathrooms are always worth looking at.
“They’re the two spaces that really make an impression. You can get your money back if you do it sensibly.
“And when someone walks in and sees something clean and smart they know they don’t need to spend money.
“If you haven’t painted for a while then freshening it up is a wise idea, while de-cluttering is the most affordable of all.
“But if you still need space then adding an extension or a loft conversion is always going to add value.”
Such is Sunderland-born George’s expertise he has been appointed an independent adviser to the Government on a number of housing matters.
“It’s about suggesting ways of best spending money and getting affordable homes back on the market,” adds George who has more Restoration Man and Amazing Spaces series on the way.
“I do get calls from the housing minister and have attended talks and seminars.
“But the Treasury don’t call whenever they do I ask for money and they don’t want to hear that!”
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