Born:
March 11, 1965
in
Streatham, London
Best Known For:
His flowing locks, foppish outfits and love of colourful interior design.
Early-life:
Born March 11, 1965, he grew up in Streatham. His father, a surgeon, died of leukaemia when he was nine. He and his younger brother (Edward) and sister (Frances) were raised by their mother, a teacher. Despite wanting to be a lawyer until he was 16, Laurence's love of art, especially needlework, led him to enrol at Camberwell Art School. He then took a job in the marketing department of a rubber flooring company before moving into interior design, working on the Richmond and Criterion theatres in London.
Career:
Llewelyn-Bowen worked for a large interior design company before setting up his own consultancy, winning several high-profile clients. His wife recommended him to a TV producer friend, which led to appearances on Changing Rooms, where he became famous for his outlandish taste. While most of the show's participants loved his colourful creations, some were decidedly unimpressed. He also appeared on Home Front, Taste and Real Rooms, before taking over as Changing Rooms' host from Carol Smillie. More recently, Laurence has been a judge on Popstar to Operastar, and presented daytime ITV show House Gift. In August 2013, he was a contestant on ITV dancing reality series Stepping Out with his wife Jackie - they finished third.
Quote:
"Like the seventh cavalry emerging o'er the brink of the hill, I come with panniers full of wallpaper."
Trivia:
In 2002, he made a cameo appearance in sitcom The League of Gentlemen.