‘Confidence boost’ Aspiring interior designer thrilled to be on hit TV show
IDON’T think I’d ever been so happy and I couldn’t believe it was happening,” says Cheltenham’s latest TV star Matt Smith-wood who has described his time on the show Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr.
Due to air next week, the show sees 10 up-and-coming designers go headto-head through a series of challenges, competing to make their big break into the industry.
The show, which can be seen on BBC One, has had four successful series and friends and family of Matt are excited to see him showcase his talent.
Matt, 25, has always been a creative person and he studied for an art foundation at Stroud College and then went on to do interior architecture and design at Coventry University.
Despite being interested in all different artistic areas, interior design is where his passion really lies. He said: “I’ve always wanted to be a designer of any kind but it’s interior design I love because it’s useful and people interact with interiors every day.”
Design was always a route Matt could see himself going down, reality TV on the other hand was not. When asked if he had ever expected to be on TV he replied, “Never, never, never”.
After his mum encouraged him to watch the show, Matt found himself constantly picking apart and commenting on other people’s work.
He then decided to apply on a whim as “I thought maybe I’ll apply... it started off very unserious.”
After a competitive application process and interview in London, Matt found himself chosen to be a part of this year’s show.
Having never been filmed before, he described the first time being “really weird” but not as scary as he had thought. Matt was a natural behind the camera because “you are so stressed about getting the design done and not getting kicked off the show so you almost forget the cameras are there.”
Those who watch can look forward to seeing Matt’s likable and bubbly personality shine through and he speaks of how he stayed completely authentic when he was on the show.
“They’re going to see the undiluted version of me because I was just myself,” Matt said.
Speaking highly of presenter, Alan Carr, who is also known for his show Chatty Man and for being a judge on Ru Paul’s Drag Race UK, Matt said: “I can honestly say when the cameras are off he doesn’t change, what you see is what you get, he’s really funny, he can pluck jokes out of thin air.”
Matt also formed a close-knit bond with the rest of the cast and said how being a part of such a unique experience made them all become good friends. “It really bonded us because it’s so stressful, I definitely made some friends for life,” he said.
Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr will remain an unforgettable experience for Matt as his time on the show.
“I had a massive confidence boost on the show because it’s so exciting and your adrenaline is pumping,” he said. “I was so happy, it was so special, and the crew were so lovely.”
Looking forward to his future in interior design, with the show no doubt acting as a stepping stone in his career, Matt hopes to get involved with commercial projects such as cafes, restaurants and boutique hotels and perhaps some more TV appearances
The first episode of this year’s series aired on Tuesday March 12 at 8pm on BBC One.
They’re going to see the undiluted version of me because I was just myself
Matt Smith-wood