TV presenter and property expert Sian Astley has turned back time to recreate a picture of her mother from a 1960s advert.

Preparing for a VIP Masterclass she is hosting for Crown Paints’ Crown Decorating Centres, Sian unearthed a photo of her mother, Dorothy Cooke, who just happened to have modelled for Walpamur, now Crown Paints, in Darwen.  

Dorothy was a secretary at Walpamur at the time and was chosen for her model looks to star in the ad campaign in the Sixties.

Sian went on to find fame in the interior design and property world and thought it would be fun to recreate the original photoshoot image at the St Helens store, the first of the company’s new concept Crown Decorating Centres.

Sian posted on Instagram: "In many ways we were so similar, right down to our smile.

"Our knees were more similar when I was also 22 without the extra two stone.

"My rather awkward lady builder pose only serves to highlight how impossibly glamorous and easily elegant she was, quite the head turner eh.

"A nice thing to have recreated and I think she’d have liked it. Liked it, whilst simultaneously being smugly chuffed she clearly did it best."

Lancashire Telegraph:

Sian, known for appearing on DIY SOS, is hosting the VIP Masterclass at the Crown Decorating Centre, Ravenhead Retail Park, St Helens on April 28 in front of an invited audience from the world of sport and media. 

Sian and a panel of experts will answer questions and offer advice on home improvements and interior design.

The panel will include Crown Decorating Centre colour and paint professionals, St Helens Store Manager Rich Cartlidge and luxe wallpaper designer Eloise Olde-Wolbers of Galerie Wallcoverings. 

Guests will have a chance to win £200 to spend in store and, at a time to suit, a two-hour private consultation with Sian, for her to tackle some of their decorating or renovating challenges. 

During the evening a basket of goods will be raffled for Ukrainian refugees and guests will enjoy canapes, a glass or two of fizz or a Crown Decorating Centre ‘colour matched’ mocktail from sponsor The Salty Rim Co.