I had such a treat earlier this week when I was invited, along with just two other media, to have an intimate dinner with Kevin McCloud and Peter Maddison in Melbourne. Kevin’s here for the first ever Grand Designs Live Melbourne which kicks off today. I do hope you’re planning to go over the weekend if you’re local. I went to the Sydney show last year and will go again this year (that’s next month). Kevin is only able to attend the Melbourne version so if you can, you really should go along! Having spoken to some of the organisers about the amount of work that has been involved behind the scenes, it’s sure to be fantastic!
Kevin lives in the same part of the UK I’m from, so we chatted about that and all kinds of things including Australian homes, social media and the popularity of Grand Designs here. Kevin, whose brother lives in Sydney, is a big fan of Australia.
For someone so incredibly well known, Kevin is remarkably down to earth and it was a real pleasure to spend some time chatting to him, no doubt making many of you very envious in the process, sorry! 😉
The most surreal thing about it was his voice! It is so well known and my ear associates it so much with the television that to hear it actually coming out of his mouth while he was sitting opposite me was quite bizarre!
Grand Designs and Grand Designs Australia (hosted by architect Maddison) are both on the LifeStyle Channel on Foxtel. You can see some of your favourite LifeStyle TV personalities speak at the Melbourne event this weekend including Shaynna Blaze, Andrew Winter and Charlie Albone. Jamie Durie will also be at the Sydney show next month.
Photographs to follow soon…
Comments
JEALOUS! Kevin is one of the guests at my ultimate dinner party!
Is he as lovely in the real as I have decided he is?!!
He absolutely is!
i may just have to kill you!!
PP
Oh I am green with envy. What an amazing experience:)
I am pleased to say I met Kevin today at the opening of The Grand Designs Exhibition in Melbourne. I had no idea I was going, as it was a surprise from my daughter. I walked in and without realising what it was, that is until I saw Kevin standing their talking, my daughter continued on but I stood glued to the spot. I finally met him before the official opening, he was on the microphone talking to the audience and me as we stood arm in arm having photos taken. What a dream come true, I can’t wipe the smile off my face, and he is as delightful in real life as he is on TV. Thanks Rachel!
What a treat, Eileen! Isn’t he lovely?
It really was Jen, although not on the scale you met him on it was something I won’t forget.
I am very jealous. We watch Grand Designs religiously every week. What a highlight!
Is it wrong to secretly have a crush on Mr McCloud (while lusting after those houses) ?!
I don’t think you’re alone, Emma, by any means! 😉