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Daily Mail
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
George Clarke breaks down in tears as he helps couple transform their 'poky' kitchen into dream living space in memory of wife's late father
George Clarke broke down in tears after helping a couple renovate their home in the brand new series of George Clarke's Kitchen vs Garden last night. The architect and TV presenter, known for his work on Amazing Spaces and Old House New Home, was brought to tears while transforming the home of a couple living in Essex. Gemma and Scott, who live in a three-bedroom semi-detached house in Essex, with their young son Jake, brought their home after getting an inheritance from Gemma's father. However, shortly after they moved in, the couple discovered cracks above their windows on the ground floor that crept up to the first floor and it became evident the house was suffering from subsidence, which took 10 years to fix. It also quickly becomes apparent that their kitchen and garden spaces are a source of frustration. Their small galley kitchen is dark and so narrow that the family can't move around comfortably in it, while their separate dining area is 'poky' and was doubling as Gemma's office for her remote job. With just one door in the kitchen allowing access to the garden, which is large but unwieldy, with a curved wall that creates an awkward space, the family feel their indoor space is too cramped and stops them from hosting friends and family. But the house's connection to her father, as well as the fact it is the couple's first family home, means they have a strong emotional attachment to it and want to make it 'what Gemma's dad would've intended'. The architect wiped away tears after Gemma thanked him for creating a kitchen her late father would have been 'over the moon' for George tells the pair: 'Hand on heart, I haven't come across a project for a long time where I've realised that the kitchen and garden are absolutely vital to your life change.' Working with garden designer Luke Millard to design a dream scheme for both the kitchen and the garden, George determines that the space would work better for the whole family if the wall separating the kitchen from the dining room came down. The pair must design the spaces with the couple's £90,000 budget in mind. George's design takes up two-thirds of the budget, while Luke's is on the high end of their limit. As George shows Gemma and Scott his plans for their kitchen, it's clear they are blown away. 'I love it. I never expected it to be that good. I know you're George Clarke, but I never expected it to be that good,' Gemma said, making all three of them laugh. 'You've surpassed yourself, give yourself a pat on the back,' Scott added jokingly. But while watching the 3D rendering of what their kitchen might end up looking like, Gemma tears up - setting George off as well. 'My dad would think that is so good. Thank you,' Gemma says, clearly getting choked up at the thought of how their kitchen would be transformed. The architect stars alongside garden designer Luke Millard to redesign and renovate the spaces according to their client's taste and budget 'Don't, you're going to set me off. You have set me off. It's only a kitchen!' George replies and reaches out to give Gemma a hug. 'Honestly, the plans blew me away but to see that, to visualise what could be coming and know what it means for us as a family... I never get emotional,' Gemma continues. 'People say, it's a house, it's just bricks and mortar, but it's our home, it's our family home and we've waited so long to be able to do this.' George appears red-eyed and uses his T-shirt to cover his face when the camera pans to him, adding: 'Don't look at me, I'm hiding.' The couple are also shown Luke's design for the garden - which includes a huge water feature that complements their curved wall, a large seated area and a garden office for Gemma - but they eventually decide on renovating the kitchen. However, they are able to use what's left of the budget to cover a scaled-back redesign of the garden that includes an outdoor cooking area and a new version of the garden office. Once the major kitchen renovation of knocking down the interior wall and relocating doorways is finished, George consults kitchen designer Lisa Palmer on paint colours for the cabinetry and walls, and the marble-effect countertops. Meanwhile, the family decide to live on-site during the renovations, although this proves to be a 'turbulent' time for them as they battle dust and even less living space for several months. Meanwhile, Gemma, who works from home, is looking forward to enjoying her new garden office that will help her separate work from home However, once the transformation is done, both kitchen and garden are unrecognisable and Gemma describes the renovation as 'life-changing'. The kitchen is now U-shaped to give them more counter space and a bigger cooking area, as well as plenty of storage and the ability to move around without constantly bumping into one another. Knocking down the wall between the kitchen and dining rooms created an open plan area, giving them full access between the two spaces, which now leads seamlessly to the garden. The garden is now fully equipped with an outdoor cooking area, including a barbecue and a seated dining area. At the end of the garden is Gemma's beautiful new office with a Western red cedar cladding that is weather-resistant and 'should last decades', and a bold pink and green colour scheme inside. Reflecting on what it was like to live in their new kitchen and garden, Gemma said she and Scott were 'blown away'. 'My dad would be over the moon. I lost my dad at the most important time in my life, when Jake was coming, and if anything, he'd be like, 'I've gone in order to give you this house,' she said. 'For us as a family, we don't have to sell the house now, so thank you.' George appears visibly moved by Gemma's words and wipes away a tear as he says: 'You've got me going now. I'm chuffed to bits for both of you.' Once the kitchen and garden tours are finished, George, Luke, Gemma and Scott pop a bottle of champagne in their new outdoor space. George welcomed the couple to their new kitchen and garden, adding: 'If you don't mind, can I just raise a little glass to your Dad? Cheers.' 'To Dad,' Gemma says quietly before taking a sip of champagne.
Wales Online
12-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
George Clarke joins Strictly Come Dancing 2025 - who is he?
George Clarke joins Strictly Come Dancing 2025 - who is he? The fifth Strictly Come Dancing 2025 celebrity has been revealed and it's not the guy off Amazing Spaces.... George Clarke is the sixth celebrity taking part in the new series of Strictly Come Dancing. (Image: BBC ) As the lineup for Strictly Come Dancing 2025 continues to take shape, the fifth celebrity contestant has been announced. George Clarke will join Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Dani Dyer, Alex Kingston, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, and Balvinder Sopal on the dancefloor. George is a British YouTuber, podcaster, and social media star with millions of followers across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Born and raised in the UK, he began creating video content as a teenager, quickly finding that humour and honesty helped him connect with audiences worldwide. The 25-year-old also co-hosts The Useless Hotline Podcast alongside Max Balegde, which has been so popular it has led to a series of live shows across the UK. When asked about his dance experience, George said: !I believe I ordered one from a Paso Doble once." Reacting to the news, George said, "I feel like a lot of people will be like 'who'?" He added, "It hasn't quite sunk in yet - it doesn't feel real." "I found out two or three months ago, so it's been quite a lot of biting my tongue." For the latest TV and showbiz gossip sign up to our newsletter George also revealed that he was originally scheduled to run a marathon at the end of the month but expects it will be difficult to manage alongside the dancing. "I don't know how to feel about it really, I don't know how good at it I will be." Content cannot be displayed without consent The new contestant announcement was made on BBC Radio 1 during the Going Home with Sam and Danni show on Tuesday, August 12. Article continues below Speaking about joining the iconic show, George said, "Honestly, I've got no idea what I'm doing but I'm excited to get stuck in... and potentially fall over a fair bit." Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One and iPlayer next month.
Daily Mirror
19-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
'I spent £10,000 on my caravan but now it's being torn down after mistake'
David Coe, from Norfolk, spent a whopping £10k converting a caravan so he could live there in it. Sadly, he won't get to live out his dream after an enforcement company demolished it A man who transformed a 14ft caravan into a two-storey home has seen it bulldozed after making one silly mistake. David Coe, from Norwich, Norfolk, forked out £10,000 towards the dream conversion after purchasing the motor home in 2022. He spent an entire year on the renovation project which included an upstairs bedroom, skylight and log burner. The home caused divide between residents living in Bately Court, with some people branding it an "eyesore". Meanwhile, others have taken a liking to the van, with "hundreds" of people stopping to look outside. National Parking Enforcement, the company that manages the car park outside Bately Court, issued him a notice earlier this year. The owner was instructed to move the van over concerns about it being a health and safety risk. If he couldn't move it he was told that it would be knocked down. But Mr Coe did not have enough money to have the structure professionally relocated and demolition crews finally arrived at the site to knock it down on July 17. It comes after he was evicted from Bately Court after a row with the housing association over the cleanliness and management of the property and was accused by the company of "inappropriate behaviour" towards members of staff. He maintains he should not have been evicted and was forced to abandon the caravan when he left. Mr Coe said kept paying his £25 monthly fee for a parking spot and visited the vehicle regularly, to ensure it was kept secure and was not becoming a hazard. He worked on renovating it as a distraction from his legal battle with the housing association and severe health issues. Mr Coe, who said he had "always been very creative" and previously renovated a hotel, said his caravan grew and grew, quickly becoming a familiar and welcome site in its parking spot. He said it soon became something of a tourist attraction. The caravan was caught the attention of George Clarke's Amazing Spaces expressing interest in featuring it on the Channel 4 programme. Mr Coe said: "I just needed to get out of the flat and make contact with other people. "It was meant to be a place to sit and have a cup of tea and chat with passers-by. But it became something to focus on and I started working on it every single day. It became more than a hobby for me. It wasn't a conscious decision but the caravan grew and grew - it cost me a fortune but I didn't mind. "I became known locally as the caravan man. I met hundreds of people who wanted to see what I was doing and take selfies with me. It was a lovely distraction from everything else." Mr Coe built a staircase and extended the caravan to turn it into a two-storey structure, with a bedroom upstairs. He also installed a log burner as well new windows and a skylight, and created a garden and seating area outside. He kept adding to it until the caravan was more akin to a tiny house. Mr Coe, who is unemployed and on disability benefits, said he was left with £70k in costs to pay after losing his legal battle. He could not afford to finish the caravan, which needed further work to its roof and extensions to be made "more solid". His former neighbour, Heather Burton said: "I'm happy to see it go because I thought it was a really dangerous thing to have in the car park. It easily could have hurt somebody in high winds. I can't understand why this was allowed to stay in a prominent area for so long." Elaine Kelly commented: "It was a bit of an eyesore in the end but I feel sorry for the bloke who built it. It's a shame it got so big that he couldn't move it. There has been a lot of interest in the caravan and no end of people coming to look at it. People used to stop in the street and ask us about it."
Scottish Sun
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
Twix ad BANNED from TV after being branded ‘dangerous'
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN ad for chocolate bar Twix that was branded 'dangerous' has been BANNED from TV. The advertisement depicts a car chase between two identical caramel coloured vehicles - ending with one sandwiched on the other like a Twix. Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 A Twix advert has been banned after being branded "dangerous" Credit: Getty 4 A watchdog said the ad "must not appear again in its current form." Credit: BBC 4 The advert featured two caramel coloured cars sandwiched together Credit: TWIX However, five complaints have been made against the clip, saying that it highlighted dangerous driving and was irresponsible. Mars-Wrigley, who own the Twix brand, highlighted that the advert featured a "cinematic presentation". They continued by saying it took place in a "world that was absurd, fantastical and removed from reality" This view was echoed by Clearcast, the non-governmental organisation that approves adverts prior to broadcast. Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled the ad "condoned unsafe driving" and "must not appear again" in its current iteration. Although the ASA acknowledged the fantastical aspect of the ad, it stated the video's first half showed driving "that appeared likely to breach the legal requirements of the Highway Code". The watchdog said there was an "emphasis on speed", in addition to "fast paced beat and music" in the car chase and "visible skid marks" left on the road. Mars defended the advert, having said both cars were shot "driving at lawful speeds and any emulation would only reflect the legal and safe driving presented." The final scene showed a Twix bar falling through the sunroofs of the two still attached cars. This was also accompanied by the tagline "two is more than one". Original '90s TV ad for N64 game Super Mario 64 now worth thousands Clearcast told the ASA that the advert's style made it clear that it was not meant to be emulated, nor did it suggest "safe driving was boring". The ASA's ruling concluded: "We told Mars Wrigley Confectionery UK Ltd not to condone or encourage irresponsible driving that was likely to breach the legal requirements of the Highway Code in their ads." It's not the first time that a TV ad has been banned from screens. TV architect George Clarke was paid by Scottish Power to star in their television advert. It was taken off air by the Advertising Standards Agency for breaching their guidlines. The watchdog said it misled viewers into thinking they were watching George's Channel 4 hit Amazing Spaces.
The Irish Sun
11-06-2025
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Twix ad BANNED from TV after being branded ‘dangerous'
AN ad for chocolate bar Twix that was branded 'dangerous' has been BANNED from TV. The advertisement depicts a car chase between two identical caramel coloured vehicles - ending with one sandwiched on the other 4 A Twix advert has been banned after being branded "dangerous" Credit: Getty 4 A watchdog said the ad "must not appear again in its current form." Credit: BBC 4 The advert featured two caramel coloured cars sandwiched together Credit: TWIX However, five complaints have been made against the clip, saying that it highlighted dangerous driving and was irresponsible. Mars-Wrigley, who own the Twix brand, highlighted that the advert featured a "cinematic presentation". They continued by saying it took place in a "world that was absurd, fantastical and removed from reality" This view was echoed by Clearcast, the non-governmental organisation that approves adverts prior to broadcast. Read more on TV ads Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled the ad "condoned unsafe driving " and "must not appear again" in its current iteration. Although the ASA acknowledged the fantastical aspect of the ad, it stated the video's first half showed driving "that appeared likely to breach the legal requirements of the Highway Code". The watchdog said there was an "emphasis on speed", in addition to "fast paced beat and music" in the car chase and "visible skid marks" left on the road. Mars defended the advert, having said both cars were shot " driving at lawful speeds and any emulation would only reflect the legal and safe driving presented." Most read in News TV The final scene showed a Twix bar falling through the sunroofs of the two still attached cars . This was also accompanied by the tagline "two is more than one". Original '90s TV ad for N64 game Super Mario 64 now worth thousands Clearcast told the ASA that the advert's style made it clear that it was not meant to be emulated, nor did it suggest "safe driving was boring". The ASA's ruling concluded: "We told Mars Wrigley Confectionery UK Ltd not to condone or encourage irresponsible driving that was likely to breach the legal requirements of the Highway Code in their ads." It's not the first time that a TV ad TV architect George Clarke was paid by Scottish Power to star in their television advert. It was taken off air by the Advertising Standards Agency for breaching their guidlines. The watchdog said it misled viewers into thinking they were watching George's Channel 4 hit Amazing Spaces. 4 The advert ended with the tagline "Two is more than one". Credit: Twix
