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Wales Online
Lifestyle
Joanne Ridout

All the ways you can get you and your house onto a TV property programme

If you fancy seeing your home as one of the stars of the myriad of popular property television programmes, then these are currently some of the best which are looking for willing participants.

But you don't have to have your own £1m grand design or massive renovation taking place, or be looking to spend a fortune buying a new home because these programmes, some of the most loved on our TV screens, can offer a chance for almost anyone willing to be brave to apply with the possibility of then ending up in everyone's front room.

If you are slightly worried, however, about your lampshades and loo appearing on a television programme, then one of Wales' past property TV stars has some advice to put your mind at rest.

READ MORE: What's it really like when your house appears on TV?

When Liz Wilson and husband Michael Whiteside took on the renovation of Pharmacy House in the village of Overton on Dee, near Wrexham, they knew it was going to be a large project with many challenges – not least a limited budget that meant doing as much of the renovation work themselves as possible. So, with that in mind, it was a brave decision to let the TV cameras in to record the first phase of this long and complicated project for the Channel 4 daytime TV show, Renovation Nation.

The couple said the filming with True North went very smoothly, the company was very professional, and they got on with the crew so well they soon relaxed and it felt like friends turning up for a chat and a look around, even though they were carrying cameras and a sound boom mic.

Liz said: "The people who were filming it were so lovely. We got on so well so I just felt comfortable about it. I had watched the first couple of weeks of the programme and saw that they were being kind to people and they weren't trying to 'get at' people and it was really the story about the houses more than the people who were doing it.

"Obviously, you never know what it's going to look like once it's out but we were really pleased how it all came across. It was very weird though watching ourselves on the TV but I was really pleased with how it worked and how we came across. We've had lots of great feedback so I'm feeling much better now that I've seen it."

Looking back, Liz and Michael said they were very happy they were involved with the show – not because they wanted to get their faces on the TV but because their hard work had been documented.

Liz said: "You forget how much you've done because you're only ever living in today and all you can see is what you need to do so it was really nice to see and think: 'Oh – we've done quite a lot, haven't we?' We always think we've got so much to do as opposed to thinking what we've already done so that was good for us to see that."

So, if you want to be brave and be on television, at the very least it will be something extra to talk about down the pub on a Friday night, and to show the grandchildren in years to come. Currently there's a choice of shows to contemplate which are all looking for Welsh homes and amazing projects to participate in the next series.

1. Wales' Home of the Year 2023

Wales' Home of the Year BBC Cymru Wales - judges L-R - Glen Thomas, Owain Wyn Evans and Mandy Watkins (BBC Cymru Wales)

BBC Cymru Wales' is on the hunt for this year's entries after the success of last year's show that saw some very special abodes be visited by the three judges, architect Glen Thomas, interior designer Mandy Watkins and presenter Owain Wyn Evans.

Luke Thomas's gorgeous cottage renovation ended up securing top spot, but all the entries were praised by the judges and loved by the viewers. Find out more about Luke's winning home and how it helped to save his life here.

Luke Thomas outside Little Castle Cottage, Kidwelly winner of BBC Cymru Wales' Home of the Year 2022 (Luke Thomas)

They are looking for 'great homes, whatever their size, whatever the budget' but the property must be your primary residence. Production company IWC is asking possible participants to send their contact details with a brief description and photos of their home to waleshomes@iwcmedia.co.uk by Sunday, March 26, 2023.

2. Love It or List It

This could be the dynamic property duo in your home saying..., 'well, are you going to love it... or list it?' (Channel 4)

The dynamic property duo of Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer are on the hunt for this popular Channel 4 television show that combines renovating and updating with the hunt for a new home too, based on a couple wanting different things - to love their current house or list it and move on.

The show is produced by Raise The Roof Productions who say to apply for the next series you must 'be a homeowner and have enough finance in place to fund the renovations of your property and any costs involved in selling your house, should you choose to list it. In exchange, Kirstie and Phil will provide you with all their expertise in the world of renovation and property searching'.

This time round they are particularly interested to hear from families with smaller budgets. Email lioli@rasietheroffproductions.com to find out more.

3. George Clarke's Amazing Spaces

George is calling - are you going to answer him? (Plum Pictures)

The Channel 4 show that loves to feature the wild and weird as well as wonderful is looking for more amazing space creations, from horseboxes to tiny homes, buses to boats, George has seen it all, loves it all, and wants to showcase it all.

The shout out from production company Plum Pictures says that if you, or anyone you know, are building something incredible then they would like to hear from you by emailing amazingspaces@plumpicturres.co.uk

4. Worst House on the Street

Presenters Scarlette and Stuart Douglas with Worst House on the Street participants Tim and Laura (and baby Grace) in Swansea. (Channel 4)

If you've bagged yourself a right minger that is dragging the street ceiling price down, and plan to transform it into a magnificent abode - the best house on the street - then Channel 4's renovation series, Worst House On The Street, is back and looking for enthusiastic renovators to bring their Welsh property to the small screen.

Produced by Southshore, the programme is looking for people who have recently bought a home that's in desperate need of a makeover and would like expert advice on how to make the most of the renovation and maximise the value of the property from brother and sister presenters, Scarlette and Stuart Douglas. Send an email to propertyrenovation@southshore to find out more.

5. Dan Do

Presenter Aled Samuel and interior designer Mandy Watkins from S4C programme Dan Do (Western Mail)

Boom Cymru is looking for houses to feature in a new series of Dan Do for S4C and homeowners don't have to be Welsh speakers to take part.

Presenter Aled Samuel and interior designer Mandy Watkins take a look at a variety of tasteful and interesting homes across Wales. From cottages to new builds, conversions to farmhouses, each home offers interesting style ideas and is a feast for the eye. The company says that if you live in a lovely, interesting or unusual home, please contact DanDo@boomcymru.co.uk

6. A Place in the Sun

Susan and Ainsley from Cardiff on Channel 4's A Place in the Sun, with presenter Laura Hamilton (Channel 4 A Place in the Sun)

Channel 4's A Place in the Sun will be filming in Cyprus and Malta throughout March and April, and is looking for house hunters searching for their dream homes on these beautiful islands.

They will also be heading to south east Spain, and would love to hear from people searching for their perfect property on the Costa Calida, Costa Blanca, or the Valencian Coast. If you want the team's help to find your new home in either Spain, Cyprus, or Malta, email househunters@fftv.co.uk.

7. Location, Location, Location

Location, Location, Location presenters Phil Spencer and Kirstie Allsopp (Channel 4)

Yes, the busy property pair are back with another of their popular programmes. Kirstie and Phil are looking for buyers that could benefit from their years of expert help and guidance, and, currently, they are looking for house hunters and hopeful flat finders.

If you’re a chain-free house hunter struggling to find that perfect property, production company IWC says that, whatever your property puzzle, Kirstie and Phil may be able to help, so email location@iwcmedia.co.uk

Due to the volume of applications received, the company says it can’t reply to everyone. Your application will be read by a member of the IWC Media production team who will contact you if they are interested in your property search and wish to discuss it further. On submitting the form, you’ll receive an autoreply.

8. Brickin' it!

If your builder has let you down... (Hello Sunshine / Channel 4)

The brand-new Channel 4 build series, Brickin’ It, is looking for people who have been left high and dry by builders. Fronted by TV presenter Stacey Solomon, the new series gives viewers easy and helpful tips to makeover their homes themselves.

It is Stacey to the rescue as she steps in where the unscrupulous builders have left off, showing homeowners how simple, satisfying and cost-effective it can be to pick up a power tool and do the work themselves.

The series, produced by Hello Sunshine, will follow big builds and smaller passion projects, with Stacey sharing her money-saving skills and offering design inspiration, as well as challenging herself to master new DIY techniques. If you’re interested in being on the show email build@producing-sunshine.com

Don't miss the best dream homes in Wales, auction properties, renovation stories, and interiors – join the Amazing Welsh Homes newsletter which is sent to your inbox twice a week. You can also join the Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group for all the best property content posted by us and by you.

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