Darren Harriott, Joanne McNally and Jon Richardson in Children In Need project

Darren Harriott, Joanne McNally and Jon Richardson are to turn their hand to interior design for Children in Need.

The comics are taking part in the first celebrity special edition of Interior Design Masters, remodelling parts of the Sandwell Young Carers Project in the West Midlands.

Harriott and McNally are one team, while Richardson will be paired with model Leomie Anderson. The third team will comprise Spandau Ballet star turned actor Martin Kemp and his wife Shirlie.

McNally said: ‘I’ve zero interiors experience but a lot of misguided confidence so it was a great opportunity to get stuck into something new’.

Harriott grew up on Oldbury, just a couple of miles from the centre they refurbished. He said that taking part ‘was an amazing experience, mostly because I got to help people from the area I grew up in’.

He added: ‘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.’

Richardson added: ‘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.’

The episode provides Sandwell Young Carers Project with a creative space, where the carers ‘can build positive relationships with their peers and develop their self-esteem’. Tracey Hawkins, its chief executive, said: ‘This makeover is going to make such a huge difference to the children we support.’ The project is currently receiving a £97,831grant over three years from Children in Need.

The show is hosted by  Alan Carr, who said: ‘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.’

Also in the picture above are the show’s judges Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen and Michelle Ogundehin.

More information on Children in Need is at bbc.co.uk/Pudsey.

Published: 24 Oct 2024