TV Makeover surprise for New Charter tenant » Housing » 24dash.com

A New Charter tenant returned home from a day out to find his home had been transformed.

Popular ITV show “60 Minute Makeover” specialises in swooping secretly to homes suggested by viewers. Using the skills of interior designers and products and materials donated by home furnishers, the team aim to speedily transform selected rooms in the home to surprise the returning occupiers.

Tenant Michael Camenzuli Chetcuti (Senior) was nominated secretly by his son, Michael (Junior). Acting in strictest confidence, programme makers Granada contacted New Charter to get clearance to work in the home, which is a semi-detached house in a popular part of Ashton-under-Lyne.

Filming took place in October last year but the episode, presented by Terri Dwyer (formerly of Hollyoaks fame) was screened on Tuesday (29th April).

Michael told us about his eventful day. “A good friend in Preston invited me over on the pretext of borrowing a camcorder, and then kindly offered to run me home. I know now this was all part of my son’s plot to keep me away. But as we turned into the avenue, I was confronted by so many people and cameras. I could see my wife and daughter as well as Michael, but I didn’t suspect it was all about me. However, when I opened the door – well, it was wonderful!”

He continued: “I’m really proud of my son’s thoughtfulness, as he knew we were planning to decorate this year. I’m also full of praise for New Charter who gently persuaded me to let it modernise our home. That obviously improved my chance of being picked by 60 Minute Makeover”.

Michael’s home was previously occupied by a tenant who refused to allow access for refurbishment. When programme makers contacted New Charter, the landlord realised a quick and confidential catch up would improve the household’s chances of being selected from the thousands of nominations ITV receives.

Now Michael has agreed to let New Charter use photographs of his home to inspire other tenants with the interior designers’ flair.

www.newcharter.co.uk