A North East salon owner is set for a brush with fame after becoming the first Geordie contestant to appear on BBC TV show Interior Design Masters.
The eight-part series, hosted by comedian Alan Carr, sees 10 talented new designers tackle a range of challenges and compete to win a life-changing design contract with a prestigious commercial client.
Peter Anderson, 63, of Whitley Bay, runs Anderson’s Hair Salon in Monkseaton, with his wife Fiona.
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As well as being a hairdresser, Peter is also passionate about interior design and is a talented cook, having previously been a semi-finalist on the BBC's MasterChef in 1994.
As a boy Peter was fascinated by watching his mother decorating the house, but said that as a northern miner’s son, interior design was an unusual interest.
"My mother used to decorate and I remember her using Sanderson wallpaper which, in the 1960s was pretty out there," he recalled.
"When I got my own flat when I was 17, I had the freedom to do what I wanted and I would change the décor often. Then I bought my first salon when I was 25 and in the 26 years we had it I must have given it at least 10 makeovers."
Peter, who has two sons, said he was encouraged to apply for Interior Design Masters by his eldest son Joe.
"We would watch previous series and exchange notes," he added.
"He said he thought I could do better and encouraged me to fill out the application form."
Originally shown on BBC2, the show attracted bumper viewing figures. The forthcoming third series has now moved to a prime time BBC One slot with the first episode airing next week.
Presenter Alan Carr is joined by editor-in-chief of Elle Decoration magazine, Michelle Ogundehin, who reprises her role as head judge. Each week the pair enlist the help of design gurus and industry experts as specialist guest judges.
Peter, who was described as a ‘style chameleon’ on the show, said to “expect the unexpected” from him.
“I’m the complete opposite from everyone on the show and there were moments where the judges were flabbergasted by some of my work,” he added.
In every episode, the budding designers are confronted with a new commercial space to transform as they work to impress the judges. Past challenges have included shops, offices, show homes and restaurants.
Since filming the series last year, Peter has given his new salon a dramatic makeover.
He and wife Fiona opened their first salon in 1982 and were well-known for alternative hair styles in the 80s.
Theirs was the first salon in the North East to do Boy George-style hair extensions.
After selling the business in 2006, they moved to the French Alps to start a new venture running gourmet ski holidays for 10 years before returning to open Anderson’s in 2019.
Peter said: “The new salon has only been open a short time but the show has given me so much more confidence. The new look I’ve given it is much more me. I’m not afraid of colour and I love original features.”
Interior Design Masters begins on Wednesday, March 9, at 9pm on BBC1 or you can catch it on BBC iPlayer. You can also follow Peter on Instagram @peterandersondesigns
