Years At The Top!
During the last 20 years, Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer have not only helped hundreds of house hunters find their dream home but have also forged an incredible telly double act, both on and off screen.
And as Location,Location, Location celebrates its 20th anniversary with a special TV series looking back at their most memorable moments, the pair reveal they get on so well, they have had barely any rows in the two decades working together.
Reflecting on the secret behind their TV partnership, Kirstie (49) admits, “We don’t really row. We have only had eight or nine rows over the 20 years.
“We are quite disciplined. Tomorrow has to come – and there aren’t often any dramas on set.
“Phil is fundamentally good, which is incredibly important because you have to trust each other.”
“Either of us could muck it up for the other one,” says 50-year-old Phil in agreement during their joint interview.
“We spend half the year working together and while we are both very different, we tend to get the same result. Kirstie is an entertaining person to spend time with. She is also loyal and generous.”
Asked who is the bossier, they initially point at each other before Phil declares, “You can be opinionated, I can be fairly rigid!”
Nodding, Kirstie adds, “He is firmer on things!”
From meeting the loves of their lives to starting their own families, Kirstie and
Phil have both been a constant in each other’s personal lives. They know where to turn for advice.
“I know if something is troubling her,” adds Phil. “We read each other.”
As lovely, jovial and likeable off screen as they appear on it, the pair readily admit Phil is the joker on set with his regular pranks.
And both insist they have never burst into tears if the house hunters are proving particularly tricky.
“Viewers want to watch a show where they feel pleased
◆ The youngest ever buyer with a massive budget was 18-year-old Claire Winship who had cerebral palsy and was looking for a wheelchair friendly house with a view over the River Thames in 2010. She had £1.7 million to spend. for the peoplepeople, ” says KirstieKirstie. “Even if they are a bit maddening, we are always grateful that people come on the show.”
Asked why they think the programme has stood the test of time, Phil replies, “There is always a lot at stake. It’s emotional and stressful, which is why it is an interesting process to watch and be involved in.”
Admitting they are a little apprehensive about what the new series will bring postnational lockdown, Kirstie is, however, adamant they won’t be celebrating the show’s 40th anniversary. “I am not doing it in 20 years’ time!” she insists. “I would
◆ One of the fussiest searches involved Steve and Dee Clark in 2007. They had a £1m budget but a list of 34 requirements … and only a tiny search area. have got to the point where with our younger house hunters, we wouldn’t have anything in common! Let’s shoot it for another ten and then see where we are at!” Location, Location, Location: 20 Years and Counting airs on Thursdays at 8pm on Channel 4.
◆ Some of Kirstie and Phil’s most memorable buys have been by the seaside. One couple who stand out are Inyang and Gregor Ross, who sold up in Glasgow in 2010 and wanted to move to somewhere they had never even visited – Cornwall. Tune into the new series to see whether they succeeded! www.myweekly.co.uk