Ratings smash Bannon gets new TV extension
IT SEEMS there is no room to improve when it comes to RTÉ’s series starring architect Dermot Bannon.
Another series of the popular home make-over programme has already been commissioned by the national broadcaster, just as the last episode in the current season comes to an end.
RTÉ usually waits until the new season schedule launch in the summer to confirm the return of new and existing programmes.
But such was the popularity of the 11th series of the long-running show ‘Room to Improve’ that it has already given Bannon the go-ahead to start constructing the new instalment.
“RTÉ can confirm that another series is on the way after a phenomenally successful run,” a spokeswoman told the Irish Independent.
“Figures for the final episode will not be in yet, but it looks like it’s the most successful run yet.”
This year’s season got off to a flying start, featuring singer Daniel O’Donnell and wife Majella as they embarked on a massive make-over of their Kincasslagh house in Co Donegal.
Viewers were glued to the screen as they watched the power struggle going on between Daniel and Dermot, who was openly intrigued by the singer’s fondness for multiple toilets.
It became the highest-performing episode of the show in the series’ history, winning an average audience of 722,000.
This season’s episodes provided endless sources of conflict and amusement alike with the Sunday night show often trending on social media while it aired.
The average episode during this series has reached more than 500,000 viewers as it has become must-watch TV and the ‘water cooler’ programme
to gossip about in work on Monday morning.
Memorable moments from the most recent series include Tipperary-based dairy farmer Padraig and his wife Katie.
They insisted on having units built to house her china collection – and battled against Bannon’s open-plan design, insisting on keeping a wall up on the ground floor.
Teacher Katie was seen giving Dermot a very bad report for his initial design, deeming it a “zero out of 10” and said that his initial drawings “were not your best work”.
Viewers also watched Dermot lock horns with IT manager Christine, who had some very definite ideas about what she wanted for her home in Dublin 3.
She had a 22-page wish-list, drawing much inspiration from glossy interior magazines, but a budget of only €130,000 to achieve some pretty complicated design effects.
Off-screen, the celebrity architect has also been busy with his own property issues, given that his family home of 13 years in Dublin’s Drumcondra is currently on sale for €649,000.
He recently revealed he has received an offer of €680,000, but hopes it may achieve even more.
It was the very first house that he designed back in 2005 when he started off his career, and naturally features an open-plan kitchen and a large windows at the back of the south-facing garden.
This Sunday will feature a ‘Room to Improve’ look-back special, featuring Bannon’s favourite moments from all 11 series.
Dermot’s episode with Daniel and Majella O’Donnell performed best, with an audience of 722,000