Changing Rooms was one of the most iconic TV shows of the 90s and noughties, drawing in millions of viewers eager to watchneighboursswap keys and homes as a room was transformed in just two days on a shoestring budget.
The show made household names of Carol Smillie and Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, and this year marks 30 years since its very first episode aired.
But what was it really like to be part of the show at the height of its popularity? Caroline Rice, 66, appeared on Changing Rooms in 2005 alongside her husband, tasked with redecorating the home of their Chorleywoodneighbours, Christine and her daughter Danielle.
Speaking on behalf of new online bingo brand Zingo Bingo, she lifts the lid on the long hours on set, what Laurence was really like when the cameras stopped rolling, and the moment she refused to back down when a designer tried to force a decision on her.
When did you appear on the show?
I was on an episode in 2005. I appeared with myhusbandand we were decorating ourneighbourChristine’s home with her daughter Danielle.
Why did you decide to go on the show?
Christine and Danielle applied, but the person she was going to doit withpulled out at the last minute. They asked if we wanted to take it on, and at the time, wecouldn’tafford to do upa house.Sowe thought, why notgive it a try? We just went for it.
What was your reaction to finding out you’d got a place?
We were really excited.It seemed likea great opportunityand a lot of fun.
Did you and your fellow contestants talk about what you wanted beforehand?
Yes, we chatted. Plus, the producers came over to our house before filming to interview us and asked what our dislikes and likeswere, andasked ourneighbourthe same.
What designer were you teamed up with?
We had Laura McCree andChristineand Danielle had Graham Wynne.
How was your experience with Laura?
We had a bit of a tussle with Laura because Ididn’tlike anything she showed us, but I had to go along with it since it was already designed.We adapted it to what we thought Christine would like, and the final result turned out fine.She wanted to originally put cut out flowers across thewallsbut I just knew thatwouldn’tgo down well.
Do you feel the producers tried to influence decisions?
The designer Emma tried to influence us with herdecisionsbut I stood my ground. Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen was the host by then, and he came in to intervene and agreed with me.SoI won that battle.
What was Laurence like off camera?
Just the same. So nice and funny, very. He wasvery goodas a host.
What was Handy Andy like?
He worked quite a lot on my house, and my husband did a lot with him too, cuttings, woodwork, and whatever else neededdoing. Ididn’thave much to do with him personally, but my husband did.He was really nice, very pleasant, and they had good conversations.Everyone was really friendly.
How many hours per day did you get to work on the house?
It was over two days and the days were long. We had a lot to do. It wasprobably longerthan 12 hour days, and we had to put the work in. But it was fun!
Did the designers genuinely get their hands dirty?
Oh yes, we all worked hard. Sometimeswe’dhave to rope extra people in to help us with things like painting the walls.That’sa big job and itneededmore people.
Did you have any idea what they were going to do to your house over the two days?
Noand I was happy to keep it a surprise. Plus, I liked Graham as a designer and I trusted him. Ididn’ttrust Laura. I thought her designs were bonkers! I was very worried about whether ourneighbourswould like it. It seemedway tooout and wacky for them.
Did they like the finished result and did you?
They did, yes. I was really surprisedaboutthat! We liked ours a lot too.
Did you keep the design?
Wedidfor a couple of years until we had the money to redecorate properly.
Did your neighbours keep the design?
Wellthey ended up getting divorced and selling the house! It had nothing to do with the show though.
What’s the one piece of advice you’d give to anyone going on the show?
Beopen mindedto the process and have fun.Ohanddon’texpect it to last. The purpose of Changing Rooms was that the rooms were decorated for a tight budget. It was all done on thecheapso after a few years,you’llnotice that. We only ever saw it as ashort termfix.
