Hit BBC One series Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr is teaming up with BBC Children in Need for the first ever dazzling celebrity special supporting young carers in the West Midlands.
In the special edition of Interior Design Masters, produced by DSP (a Banijay UK company), six of Britain’s favourite famous faces will be donning overalls, clambering up ladders and cracking open paint cans as they compete to create the best makeovers – all for a very good cause. This special episode will benefit the BBC Children in Need funded project, Sandwell Young Carers Project (SYCP).
The celebrities going head-to-head in the challenge are: comedian Darren Harriott, comedian and podcast host Joanne McNally, comedian Jon Richardson, model and TV host Leomie Anderson, musician and actor Martin Kemp, and singer Shirlie Kemp.
At the end of the action-packed and fun-filled design period, the celebs’ rooms will be critiqued from top to bottom by Michelle Ogundehin and celebrity guest-judge, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen to win the title of Celebrity Interior Design Masters. Can the celebs show off their flair for interiors? Whose designs won’t make the grade? And which pair will ultimately be crowned Celebrity Interior Design Masters?
The celebs will be split into the following groups to complete their design task:
- Darren Harriott & Joanne McNally
- Jon Richardson & Leomie Anderson
- Martin Kemp & Shirlie Kemp
Alan Carr says: “Interior Design Masters is always a bit of an emotional rollercoaster but this Children in Need Special really brought the ‘feels’. It’s amazing what a bit of paint, colour, wallpapers and good old-fashioned enthusiasm can achieve. I literally can’t wait for the viewers at home to witness these magical transformations.”
Michelle Ogundehin says: “The Children in Need Interior Design Masters special shows that interior design can change lives! In truth, for me, this is the primary purpose of the profession, whether for an individual who wants to be happier and healthier to these amazing children who needed to be shown how absolutely worthy and valued they are. And we could do this by giving them beautiful spaces that reflected their needs, hopes, desires and dreams.”
Joanne McNally adds: “I was absolutely thrilled to take part in the Interior Design Masters for Children in Need special! I’ve zero interiors experience but a lot of misguided confidence so it was a great opportunity to get stuck into something new and it was made all the more special because we were doing it for such a wonderful cause and can’t wait for people to see the space we designed!”
Darren Harriot says: “Being part of the first ever Interior Design Masters for Children in Need was an amazing experience, mostly because I got to help people from the area I grew up in. Young carers are young people who have had to grow up quicker than most and I’m so happy that I got to help make their lives a little bit easier with my inspired room design, I will definitely be paying them all a visit again very soon, so get the pool table ready.”
Jon Richardson adds: "Carers are an entire silent economy in our country and without their work we would be in so much more trouble than we are already. To be a part of a team giving these incredibly selfless young people a space to be themselves and let loose was an amazing honour and I can't wait for people to see what we achieved.”
Leomie Anderson says: “I’m beyond excited and grateful to be a part of this year’s Children in Need episode of Interior Design Masters. Being able to take time out to do something that truly will change lives for generations to come has been one of the most fulfilling things I’ve participated in, and I can’t wait for people to watch and learn more about the institution we renovated and the amazing work they do.”
Martin & Shirlie Kemp adds: “We are honoured to have been part of an incredible collaboration between Interior Design Masters and Children in Need, working on a project for such an important, but often forgotten, cause. We had an absolute blast making over the space and are excited for everyone to see what we designed!”
Patrick McMahon, Commissioning Editor at BBC, says: “We’re delighted to see Interior Design Masters team up with BBC Children in Need for the very first time on this inspiring partnership. Places like Sandwell Young Carers play a crucial role in providing support for so many young people, and it was wonderful to see our celebrity designers transform that space into something joyous.”
Donna Clark, MD DSP, says: “It’s been such a privilege and hugely satisfying to bring Interior Design Masters to this important project for Children in Need. The inspiring young carers and the staff at the centre worked closely with our terrific celebrity designers to create some outstanding spaces. The collaboration was a complete pleasure from start to finish.”
Tommy Nagra, Director of Content at BBC Children in Need, says: “We’re thrilled to partner with Interior Design Masters for this brand-new addition to this years season of fundraising shows. I look forward to seeing how the celebrity contestants creatively transform our project in the West Midlands to help raise all important funds for BBC Children in Need. More than ever funds are needed to support the lives of children and young people across the UK, and what a brilliant partnership to help bring people together and make a difference.”
Sandwell Young Carers, CEO, Tracey Hawkins, says: “We’re so excited to be a part of this year’s Interior Design Masters for BBC Children in Need. This makeover is going to make such a huge difference to the children we support and I’m so excited for everyone to see it. BBC Children in Need funding allows us to support young people across the Borough of Sandwell and provides them with much needed guidance and vital support that helps them to thrive.”
The special episode will see SYCP provided with a newly decorated and creative space, where they can build positive relationships with their peers and develop their self-esteem. SYCP currently receives a grant of £97,831 over three years, from BBC Children in Need to deliver health and wellbeing activities for young carers in Sandwell. Funding aims to deliver an environment for young carers which helps to improve their overall wellbeing, reduce isolation, and support them in reaching their potential.
BBC Children in Need funding brings the right people and places into children’s lives when they need help or support. The need has never been greater as right now the charity is only able to help 1 in 8 of the organisations who ask for money. Only with the support of the UK public can BBC Children in Need continue to lighten the load for hundreds of thousands of children when they need support most. Challenge yourself to make life lighter for children and sign up to fundraise at bbc.co.uk/Pudsey.
The Interior Design Masters Children in Need Celebrity Special will be available to watch and stream on BBC One and BBC iPlayer during the 2024 Children in Need campaign.
L-R: Jon Richardson, Leomie Anderson, Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, Joanne McNally, Michelle Ogundehin, Darren Harriott, Alan Carr, BBC Children in Need mascot Pudsey, Shirlie Kemp and Martin Kemp (Image: Kevin Ralph/DSP/BBC)
