Carpenter gets crack at TV title - and gets to meet favourite comic
ACARPENTER from Portishead is to appear alongside comedian Lee Mack in a new TV show to find Britain’s top woodworker.
Darren Lumsden, is one of 10 of the country’s finest joiners who will be showcasing their talents in the new Sky History series The Chop.
Hosted by Lee Mack, Rick Edwards and master craftsmen William Hardie, the carpentry competition sees the contestants gather in Epping to whittle, carve and chop their way to the final.
The champion’s prize will be the chance to stage their own exhibition at the prestigious William Morris Gallery in London.
Dad of two Darren, who grew up in Frenchay and went to Downend School, says taking part in the show was the ‘challenge of a lifetime.’
After leaving school Darren went to Brunel College and took up an apprenticeship with Leypale in St Werburgh’s. He then joined H& K Joiners and by the age of 20 had become foreman and joinery manager.
After working for the company for about 10 years he set up on his own focusing on making bespoke items from luxury kitchens to one off pieces of furniture.
And he has been involved in some unusual projects over the years - including one to replicate the inside of Star War’s Millennium Falcon for a cinema room.
“That was one of the more unusual projects,” said Darren.
“The cinema room cost around £150,000 to create and it was totally unreal.”
Darren also crafted some of the bespoke furniture used in the chill out room by athletes in the London 2012 Olympics.
And it’s not just wood he works with.
“Doing such unusual, one off projects, you’ve got to be able to do anything,” he said.
“I work with lots of different materials including Corian and all different laminated surfaces.”
Darren has also made special furniture for his children, aged 11 and six.
“My little boy wanted a bed like a castle,” he said.
“He thinks he’s a little king. “His mum designed it and I made it. I’ve also made bedroom furniture for my daughter too.”
“A friend sent me a link about this new show and I rang up and applied.
“I did a Skype video and was invited to go on the show.”
For Darren, working alongside Lee Mack - his favourite comedian - was a dream come true.
“He’s always been my favourite comic,” he said, “so to get the chance to work alongside him was amazing.
“He is a lovely guy, so funny to be around.”
Darren maybe one of the show’s most striking characters, due to the fact he is heavily tattooed - including on his head and face.
He started having his head and face tattooed around 10 years ago.
“I had other tattoos already. But about 10 years ago I saw someone with facial tattoos and started to work with my tattooist on my look.
“I have my daughter on the back of my head and my son on my cheek. When some people first meet me they are a bit shocked, admittedly.
“But they soon warm to me after a few minutes.
“Some people ask for selfies with me. I’ve never had a negative reaction to my tattoos. They are just me.”
Darren says his appearance on the show, since the trailers have gone out, has prompted people to recognise him.
“I’ve already been stopped by people who have seen the adverts.
“No one went on the show to become famous. But hopefully it will come across on the show that I’m a bit of a character.
“All in all The Chop is going to be a great watch.
“There is so much talent and it’s going to be a really fun programme to follow and see who is crowned the winner.”
The Chop: Britain’s Top Woodworker is on Sky History on Thursdays at 9pm.