Interior Design Masters Series 5: Who’s In The Final?

Looking to fill the gap that Pottery Throw Down and Portrait Artist of the Year left behind? Luckily for you, there’s another creative competition doing the rounds on TV this spring. Here’s everything you need to know about series 5 of Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr – from the series schedule and contestant profiles to episode recaps.

Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr Series 5

Alan Carr and Michelle Ogundehin (c) BBC/Darlow Smithson Productions

What Happens?

Every series of Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr brings together a group of 10 promising interior designers (all of varying degrees of experience in the industry) who compete to be crowned the Interior Design Master and win a life-changing commercial design contract. The contestants are given a different challenge each week to test their ability to meet various client briefs in different commercial and residential settings – from redesigning shops, restaurants and salons to creating living spaces for families.

After each challenge, series judge Michelle Ogundehin decides which designers have created the ‘Stand Out Space’. Meanwhile, the week’s worst performer is eliminated from the competition, while the other contestants move on to the next week’s brief.

Who Hosts The Show?

Interior Design Masters has been hosted by iconic comedian Alan Carr since 2021, with the arrival of series two. Before Carr, the show was fronted by presenter Fearne Cotton.

Who Are The Judges?

Joining Carr on the sofa is Michelle Ogundehin, the show’s main judge and former Elle Decoration editor-in-chief. Each series, she’s joined by a rotating panel of judges who correspond with the week’s brief – some previous guest judges include interior stylist Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen, retail expert Mary Portas and home designer Jade Jagger.

What Are The Series 5 Challenges?

The challenges this series promise to push our group of designers further than ever, with briefs ranging from hospitality boxes at Royal Ascot to education spaces at Chester Zoo. These are the briefs we’ve been told about so far:

• Episode 1 (12 March): ‘A new batch of interior designers show off their signature style by heading to a former Norfolk convent, turning nuns’ cells into bijoux B&B bedrooms before one wins Stand Out Space.’
• Episode 2 (19 March): ‘Nine designers are tested on teamwork as they go wild at Chester Zoo, creating three activity centres for schoolchildren, themed around the wildlife of Brazil, India and Madagascar.’
• Episode 3 (26 March): ‘The designers are let loose on exclusive hospitality boxes at Ascot Racecourse, with each creating their own personal interpretation of high-end sophistication and luxury.’
• Episode 4 (2 April): ‘The designers head to Wales as they pair up to work their magic on three Swansea cafes, with the briefs varying from “Scandi” to “Industrial” to “Home from Home”.’
• Episode 5 (9 April): ‘The five remaining designers come up with clever hacks to show potential tenants how to turn Sheffield rental apartments into homely spaces – without losing their deposit.’
• Episode 6 (16 April): ‘The designers pair up and hit East Grinstead high street to transform two Grade II listed shops. They need to transform the spaces to impress Mary queen of shops.’
• Episode 7 (23 April): ‘The semi-finalists transform dressing rooms at OVO Arena Wembley, and pop princess Sophie Ellis-Bextor joins Michelle to decide who will go through to the final.’
• Episode 8 (30 April): ‘For the grande finale, the two finalists head to the magnificent Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire to redesign holiday lodges in the grounds.’

(L to R) Hannah, Ash, Anthony, Sheree, Roisin, Matt, Jess, Benat, Domnall, Francesca (c) BBC/Darlow Smithson Productions

Who Are The Contestants?

This series, 10 contestants have stepped up to battle it out for the tile of Interior Design Master:

• Anthony Ray, a stay-at-home dad and interior stylist
• Ben Irurzun, a lingerie designer
• Domnall Starkie, an illustrator, artist and shop owner
• Francesca Kletz, a textiles maker and teacher
• Hannah Drakeford, an interior designer
• Jessica du Preeze, an upholsterer
• Matt Smith-Wood, a bathroom designer
• Roisin Quinn, a former travel advisor
• Ash Appleton, an interior therapist
• Sheree Millington, a copywriter

Who Won Stand Out Space This Week?

Each episode, Michelle spotlights a designer or team that has best nailed that week’s brief. So far, the challenge winners of this series are:

• Week 1: Ben
• Week 2: Domnall, Matt & Hannah
• Week 3: Anthony
• Week 4: Matt & Roisin
• Week 5: Anthony
• Week 6: Matt & Ben
• Week 7: Roisin

Who Has Left The Competition?

Michelle also has the task of eliminating a designer (or sometimes, designers) each episode – the contestants that have already left series 5 include:

• Week 1: Sheree
• Week 2: Ash
• Week 3: Hannah & Jess (double elimination)
• Week 4: Domnall
• Week 5: Francesca
• Week 6: Anthony
• Week 7: Ben

Who Will Be In The Final?

Roisin and Matt will be going head-to-head in the final, which will see the designers battle it out by redesigning holiday lodges on the grounds of Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire. The episode will air on 30 April 2o24 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Where Is It Filmed?

Since each week poses a new brief and location for the designers, a series of Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr is usually filmed all over the UK – although the show’s design hub (where Michelle judges the contestants) is in Brighton.

Who Are The Previous Winners?

Last year, Monika Charchula, a furniture artist from Nottingham, was dubbed Interior Design Master, narrowly beating her fellow contestants to the title. She joined three previous winners of Interior Design Masters, which includes:

• Series 4, 2023: Monika Charchula
• Series 3, 2022: Banjo Beale
• Series 2, 2021: Lynsey Ford
• Series 1, 2019: Cassie Nicholas

Hannah and Alan Carr (c) BBC/Darlow Smithson Productions

When Did Interior Design Masters Start?

Series 5 of Interior Design Masters started on 12 March 2024 at 8pm on BBC One. The series will be comprised of eight episodes and air weekly, until the winner is revealed during the final on Tuesday 30 April 2024.

Release Schedule

Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr airs on Tuesday nights at 8pm on BBC One. See the full release schedule below:

• Episode 1: 12 March 2024
• Episode 2: 19 March 2024
• Episode 3: 26 March 2024
• Episode 4: 2 April 2024
• Episode 5: 9 April 2024
• Episode 6: 16 April 2024
• Episode 7: 23 April 2024
• Episode 8: 30 April 2024

How To Enter

The BBC is currently still looking for contestants for series 6 of Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr, with the deadline for applications closing on 8 April 2024. Applicants be at years 18 years old, and can apply by filling out an application form at bbc.co.uk.

WATCH

You can watch Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr every Tuesday at 8pm on BBC One, and catch up on all previous episodes of the show on BBC iPlayer. bbc.co.uk

Images: BBC/Darlow Smithson Productions