A new series of BBC’s Interior Design Masters will return in March – and a Lancashire-born contestant is taking part, hoping to win a career-defining contract with a luxury hotel.

In the new series, hosted by Alan Carr, a whole new batch of aspiring designers will be looking for their big break in the fast-paced world of commercial interior design.

Every week, the designers take on a new interior design challenge up and down the country ranging from show homes, shops and restaurants to beach huts, bars and luxury holiday villas.

Fleetwood-born contestant, Paul, will be taking part in the new series and hoping to win a commercial contract with a hotel.

Lancashire Telegraph: Fleetwood-born contestant, Paul, will be taking part in the new series and hoping to win a commercial contract with a hotel.Fleetwood-born contestant, Paul, will be taking part in the new series and hoping to win a commercial contract with a hotel.

Paul, 52, is a visual merchandiser and he describes his design style as mid-century minimalist.

He said he applied to the series in hopes of furthering the next phase of his career.

He said: “I applied for the series having watched during lockdown.

“I’ve always been passionate about design and interiors and that’s when the penny dropped – this is my plan B and an opportunity to move out of fashion retail which had become very corporate at my level and not at all creative and into interior design.”

Paul said his experience on the show “surpassed” his expectations.

He said: “We visited some amazing destinations around the country and each challenge was completely different to the previous.

“Waking up every day with my brain fizzing with creative design ideas and inspiration, creative juices overflowing – I felt like a champagne cork about to explode. It was such a brilliant high!”

However, Paul said the eliminations were “awful” after having forged such strong connections with fellow designers.

He said: “You literally become friends overnight because you’re all going through the same intense experience.

“Each week when one of you goes your emotions run away with you so you get really upset. You end up saying the dreaded word ‘journey’ but it’s true.

“You’re all on a journey and nothing prepares you for the emotional intensity of elimination day”.

Paul said he has “learned so much” in the competition.

He said: “There was never a problem with my confidence in the challenges, that comes from experience in life and what we learn from one another.

“My biggest achievement is celebrating my own success and not being humble about my talent.”

Design skills will be scrutinised by returning head judge, interiors guru and former editor of Elle Decoration, Michelle Ogundehin, along with some of the biggest names in the industry as the designers battle it out to win a career-defining contract with a luxury hotel in Cornwall.

What happens in Interior Design Masters?

Every week, the designers take on a new interior design challenge up and down the country ranging from show homes, shops and restaurants to beach huts, bars and luxury holiday villas.

 They will need to showcase their brightest ideas and pull out all the stops to wow head judge, Ogundehin, and the esteemed guest judge joining her that week.

At the end of every challenge, the weakest designers will find themselves on the sofa to face the judges and explain their design decisions.

Then, at least one contestant will be eliminated each week. With so much at stake, whose creations, character and curations will earn them the Interior Design Masters crown?

What happens in the first episode?

Episode one sees Michelle joined by fashion designer turned interior designer, Matthew Williamson. Matthew goes back to his Northern roots in this first challenge, as Michelle’s brief is to transform five 3 upmarket rental apartments in Manchester.

Working in pairs, the teams must transform an apartment each, with each designer taking on either a living room or master bedroom, while working together to design a shared home office.

With just two days, £1500 and a team of tradespeople to help, the designers get going on the first challenge to convert these bland white boxes into cool contemporary spaces for young professional urbanites.

Season three of Interior Design Masters officially starts on  Wednesday 9th March at 9pm on BBC One.