HIGHLANDS & STYLE LANDS

Banjo tells why he's so excited to host Ideal Home Show Scotland and loks ahead to new series of Designing the Hebrides on TV

- HEATHER GREENAWAY

Ін E'S the larger-than-life star of two hit BBC shows - and now interior designer Banjo Beale is getting ready to headline this weekend's Ideal Home Show.

The Aussie stylist, who is a judge on Scotland's Home of the Year and fronts makeover series Designing the Hebrides, says being asked to grace the main stage at the exhibition is a dream come true.

Banjo, 37, who lives on Mull with his husband Ro, revealed he will be sharing behind-the-scene secrets from the TV shows that have made him a household name.

He said: "As a little boy growing up in the middle of nowhere in Australia, I never imagined that one day I would be a judge on SHOTY, have my own design show and be asked to grace the main show at the Ideal Home Show.

"I'll be spilling secrets on Scotland's Home of the Year and Designing the Hebrides, and I'll share advice on how to create designs that don't cost the earth. I'll also be giving tips on how to add heart to your home.

"Interior design doesn't have to cost a fortune. The trick is decorate, don't renovate.

"Scratch the itch by playing with paint colours, rearranging furniture, cleaning your home from clutter and curating your collections by colour or shape or size.

"You don't have to knock down walls or build extensions to create new, interesting spaces." Banjo, whose book Wild Isle Style was a bestseller, added: "I can't tell you how excited I am about appearing at the exhibition, especially as Keith Brymer Jones from Pottery Throwdown will also be there and I am a total fanboy.