{"id":67186,"date":"2023-09-05T14:56:07","date_gmt":"2023-09-05T14:56:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celeband.com\/?p=67186"},"modified":"2023-09-05T14:56:07","modified_gmt":"2023-09-05T14:56:07","slug":"original-changing-rooms-stars-now-faking-cancer-buying-a-zoo-and-prison-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celeband.com\/tv-movies\/original-changing-rooms-stars-now-faking-cancer-buying-a-zoo-and-prison-time\/","title":{"rendered":"Original Changing Rooms stars now \u2013\u00a0faking cancer, buying a zoo and prison time"},"content":{"rendered":"
  • Bookmark<\/span><\/path><\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/li>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Sign up for the Daily Star TV newsletter for the biggest TV news<\/p>\n

    Thank you for subscribing!<\/h2>\n

    Sign up for the Daily Star TV newsletter for the biggest TV news<\/p>\n

    We have more newsletters<\/p>\n

    Changing Rooms returned to screens with a fresh reboot on Channel 4 in 2021, but was cancelled once again just a year later.<\/p>\n

    The much-loved design show <\/span>captured the hearts of viewers in the 90s, with Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen taking on the role of lead interior designer back then.<\/p>\n

    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.<\/p>\n

    READ NEXT: <\/b>Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen lives in 'most haunted home ever' with exorcisms and priests<\/b><\/p>\n

    Previously hosted by Carol Smillie, the 90s original also featured fan favourites Handy Andy Kane and Linda Barker. <\/p>\n

    But where are the original cast now?<\/p>\n

    Anna Ryder Richardson<\/h2>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Anna Ryder Richardson, now 59, was known for her unique choices as an interior designer on Changing Rooms.<\/p>\n

    After quitting the show, the former model and fitness instructor went on to appear in the I'm A Celebrity jungle in 2007.<\/p>\n

    In 2008, Anna decided to pursue her lifelong dream of owning a zoo and purchased Manor House Wildlife Park in Pembrokeshire for \u00a31million.<\/p>\n

    Her new career was heavily documented on TV shows such as Chaos at the Zoo, Anna's Welsh Zoo and Wild Welsh Zoo.<\/p>\n

    <\/p>\n

    However, Anna and her husband Colin MacDougall were charged with health and safety violations in 2012.<\/p>\n

    It came after a mother and her four-year-old son were crushed by a falling tree, causing Anna to be fined \u00a3110,000 in court. <\/p>\n

    According to the star, the "stresses and strains" of running the zoo even resulted in her and Colin's marriage breakdown.<\/p>\n

    Carol Smillie<\/h2>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Changing Rooms icon Carol Smillie made a huge career U-turn after finding fame on the hit BBC home makeover show.<\/p>\n

    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.<\/p>\n

    She now officiates weddings, naming ceremonies and funerals after becoming a member of Humanist Society Scotland in 2018.<\/p>\n

    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.<\/p>\n

    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.<\/p>\n

    "For me, Humanist values of care, compassion and kindness are really important in delivering a meaningful ceremony."<\/p>\n

    Elizabeth Wagstaff<\/h2>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Makeover expert Elizabeth Wagstaff was handed a one-year prison sentence in 2000.<\/p>\n

    The Changing Rooms star falsely claimed to have terminal cancer to deceive her friends and colleagues in order to raise more than \u00a354,000.<\/p>\n

    Elizabeth said she needed the money for medical treatment in America, but used it to buy expensive food and clothes.<\/p>\n

    She even tricked the Changing Rooms team into giving her money.<\/p>\n

    In the end, Elizabeth pleaded guilty to 14 counts of obtaining a money transfer by deception and four of obtaining property by deception.<\/p>\n

    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."<\/p>\n

    Linda Barker<\/h2>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Linda Barker stepped into the world of reality television after Changing Rooms.<\/p>\n

    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\u2019m A Celebrity in 2003.<\/p>\n

    She also appeared on ITV diving competition Splash and won Celebrity Come Dine With Me.<\/p>\n

    Linda has since returned to interiors with a homeware company in April 2021.<\/p>\n

    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 \u2013 and that's all just about to go live.<\/p>\n

    "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."<\/p>\n

    Andy Kane<\/h2>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Changing Rooms legend 'Handy' <\/span>Andy Kane was best known for being the show's DIY expert. <\/p>\n

    Following the show, the Cockney builder packed up his tools and headed to America to work on the US edition, Trading Spaces. <\/p>\n

    He has also presented three shows for UK Style, Garden Rivals, Room Rivals and Streetcombers.<\/p>\n

    His other TV work includes Increase Your House Price By Ten Grand.<\/p>\n

    Andy is happily married to his wife Geraldine, with the couple sharing four children.<\/p>\n

    Graham Wynne<\/h2>\n

    <\/p>\n

    As one of the show's main designers from 1996-2004, Graham Wynne has since left the world of showbiz. <\/p>\n

    His last TV appearance was in 2006 during a feature on documentary show Now That\u2019s Embarrassing: The 80s.<\/p>\n

    Despite stepping out of the spotlight, the designer did attend a Changing Room reunion in 2000.<\/p>\n

    Michael Jewitt<\/h2>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Michael Jewitt appeared on the hit renovation show for four seasons. <\/p>\n

    The Designer and architect also worked on BBC's Change That, as well as Housecall.<\/p>\n

    Since his days on Changing Rooms, Michael has gone to work for different companies and brands, such as Gourmet Ireland and Sunseeker.<\/p>\n

    For luxury yacht makers Sunseeker, he designed offices in London, France and Greece.<\/p>\n

    He's also restored Grade II listed buildings.<\/p>\n

    For more of the latest showbiz news from Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n