Original Changing Rooms stars now – faking cancer, buying a zoo and prison time
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Changing Rooms returned to screens with a fresh reboot on Channel 4 in 2021, but was cancelled once again just a year later.
The much-loved design show captured the hearts of viewers in the 90s, with Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen taking on the role of lead interior designer back then.
Over the course of the series, friends and neighbours put their trust in the DIY experts to help redesign a room in each other's homes.
READ NEXT: Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen lives in 'most haunted home ever' with exorcisms and priests
Previously hosted by Carol Smillie, the 90s original also featured fan favourites Handy Andy Kane and Linda Barker.
But where are the original cast now?
Anna Ryder Richardson
Anna Ryder Richardson, now 59, was known for her unique choices as an interior designer on Changing Rooms.
After quitting the show, the former model and fitness instructor went on to appear in the I'm A Celebrity jungle in 2007.
In 2008, Anna decided to pursue her lifelong dream of owning a zoo and purchased Manor House Wildlife Park in Pembrokeshire for £1million.
Her new career was heavily documented on TV shows such as Chaos at the Zoo, Anna's Welsh Zoo and Wild Welsh Zoo.
However, Anna and her husband Colin MacDougall were charged with health and safety violations in 2012.
It came after a mother and her four-year-old son were crushed by a falling tree, causing Anna to be fined £110,000 in court.
According to the star, the "stresses and strains" of running the zoo even resulted in her and Colin's marriage breakdown.
Carol Smillie
Changing Rooms icon Carol Smillie made a huge career U-turn after finding fame on the hit BBC home makeover show.
Despite being snubbed from the reboot, the TV host appeared to be too busy to notice after stepping back from presenting and becoming a humanist celebrant.
She now officiates weddings, naming ceremonies and funerals after becoming a member of Humanist Society Scotland in 2018.
Carol also ditched her professional name and performs the ceremonies under her married name of Carol King, and appears to be loving her new job.
She said back in 2018: "I am delighted to be part of the Humanist Society Scotland celebrant team. I have already found the experience a real privilege.
"For me, Humanist values of care, compassion and kindness are really important in delivering a meaningful ceremony."
Elizabeth Wagstaff
Makeover expert Elizabeth Wagstaff was handed a one-year prison sentence in 2000.
The Changing Rooms star falsely claimed to have terminal cancer to deceive her friends and colleagues in order to raise more than £54,000.
Elizabeth said she needed the money for medical treatment in America, but used it to buy expensive food and clothes.
She even tricked the Changing Rooms team into giving her money.
In the end, Elizabeth pleaded guilty to 14 counts of obtaining a money transfer by deception and four of obtaining property by deception.
Judge Quentin Campbell told her: "The nature of your deceptions was particularly cruel and unpleasant. There cannot be anyone in this court who has not had a friend or relative who truly does suffer from cancer or had died from that disease."
Linda Barker
Linda Barker stepped into the world of reality television after Changing Rooms.
The interior designer, who was most famous for transforming people's lives with a pop of colour and some striking home furnishings, took part in I’m A Celebrity in 2003.
She also appeared on ITV diving competition Splash and won Celebrity Come Dine With Me.
Linda has since returned to interiors with a homeware company in April 2021.
Speaking about her luxury bed collection, she said: "It's my second collection with Terrys fabrics for curtains, blinds, duvets and pillowcases which is really nice – and that's all just about to go live.
"The range is beautifully produced and is very much about pattern and colour which is something that is really relevant to interiors today and I think a lot more people are using pattern and colour more happily in their homes today."
Andy Kane
Changing Rooms legend 'Handy' Andy Kane was best known for being the show's DIY expert.
Following the show, the Cockney builder packed up his tools and headed to America to work on the US edition, Trading Spaces.
He has also presented three shows for UK Style, Garden Rivals, Room Rivals and Streetcombers.
His other TV work includes Increase Your House Price By Ten Grand.
Andy is happily married to his wife Geraldine, with the couple sharing four children.
Graham Wynne
As one of the show's main designers from 1996-2004, Graham Wynne has since left the world of showbiz.
His last TV appearance was in 2006 during a feature on documentary show Now That’s Embarrassing: The 80s.
Despite stepping out of the spotlight, the designer did attend a Changing Room reunion in 2000.
Michael Jewitt
Michael Jewitt appeared on the hit renovation show for four seasons.
The Designer and architect also worked on BBC's Change That, as well as Housecall.
Since his days on Changing Rooms, Michael has gone to work for different companies and brands, such as Gourmet Ireland and Sunseeker.
For luxury yacht makers Sunseeker, he designed offices in London, France and Greece.
He's also restored Grade II listed buildings.
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- Channel 4
- Changing Rooms
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