One of the BBC’s most addictive shows is back — but not enough people are watching

Few things deliver a reliable dopamine hit quite like a good interiors show — which is why the return of the BBC’s Interior Design Masters should feel like a much bigger deal than it is.

Because somehow, despite being one of the most consistently joyful competition formats, it still exists in that strange category of television: widely loved by those who watch it, and almost completely overlooked by everyone else.

That was the case again this week, as Alan Carr quietly slipped back onto our screens alongside interiors expert Michelle Ogundehin and a fresh batch of hopeful designers — with far less fanfare than you’d expect for a show this good.

Yes, I know Alan Carr doing anything quietly seems unlikely, but here we are.

I always want to talk about this programme with friends because I’m obsessed — who doesn’t love watching rooms turn from bare to brilliant (or bizarre)? Most people I know are already consumed by interiors, whether that’s on social media or in their own homes.

Interior design is not niche and never has been. It was always popular, as evidenced by the success of OG interiors shows like Changing Rooms, 60 Minute Makeover and Home Front, but it has become even more dominant in recent years thanks to social media.

The interior design hashtag on TikTok has racked up more than 17 billion views, while on Instagram, even something as specific as #modernhome runs into millions of posts.

However, that popularity clearly isn’t translating into TV viewing habits — because when I bring it up among pals and colleagues, I’m mostly met with: ‘Sorry, I’ve never heard of it.’

Interior Design Masters is clearly doing something right, as it keeps being renewed for new series, and viewing figures from last year show an average of around 3.4 million viewers (consolidated figures) per episode. And last night’s series opener scored 1.7million in the overnight ratings. Not bad numbers at all. But it still bizarrely feels like a sleeper hit — something that doesn’t quite cut through as it should be.

The BBC’s Race Across the World is a great example of a show that I believe to be on a similar footing in terms of addictive watchability, but it does so much better generally. Also airing now, and routinely getting an average of more than 5million viewers per episode, it is more than just a TV hit: it’s a conversation point. Even if people aren’t watching it, they are aware of it and will likely read about it and see clips on social media.

Another big competition format hit is Channel 4’s The Great British Bake Off, which — even now — still pulls in between 4 and 8 million viewers, according to last year’s ratings. Obviously, it has been on TV for a long time now and is part of the nation’s general consciousness, but I can’t help but think Interior Design Masters also deserves this level of attention.

Also, notably, the Interior Design Masters subreddit on Reddit has just over 4,000 followers, compared to nearly 20k for Race Across the World and a whopping 117k for Bake Off. It just doesn’t dominate the conversation in the same way.

If you’re unaware, Interior Design Masters has been on our screens since 2019, first hosted by Fearne Cotton before Alan took over in 2021, and has just got better with every season, in my humble opinion. I adore Fearne, but Alan added a pleasantly silly edge to the series that only Alan can.

Each series sees 10 hopeful designers transforming everything from homes to restaurants — with judging based not just on aesthetics, but functionality too. Each week, one hopeful will be sent packing after failing to impress Michelle and a guest judge, with the champion eventually winning the prize of a contract to design an interiors collection with Next.

The first episode of the new series, which aired on Tuesday evening, introduced us to our new set of wannabe designers ready to get stuck in with paint, plans, panelling, and, weirdly, papier mache, to decorate empty beach huts on the Dorset coast.

The current line-up is the usual bunch of superbly dressed creative types: a couple of dancers, an artistic nomad and an interiors influencer, to name a few.

Standout designers so far include the lovely Duran, a recently single powerhouse of a woman who transformed her beach hut into a glorious powder blue and red spectacle with a unique archway.

Then there is the admittedly unique Emmely, who has a penchant for the aforementioned papier mache, to middling results. Still, it made for an interesting beach hut overhaul.

And then there is Ben, a self-confessed royalist, who will definitely become a talking point this series. I was itching to talk about him to everyone on WhatsApp last night when the tattooed young man revealed he loves the royals so much, he has portraits of our late Queen and King Charles in his bedroom at home. Alas, nobody else I knew was watching it.

I get it. Interior Design Masters may never have the hype levels of Race Across the World and certainly not of the Traitors (my other most-WhatsApped about shows), but it’s still a shame to me that I feel relatively alone in watching it.

Because if we’re all as obsessed with interiors as our social feeds and our wonderfully decorated homes suggest, it makes no sense that one of the best shows about it is still flying this far under the radar.

Do yourself a favour and get over to iPlayer to catch up on the new episode and previous series – you’ll be absolutely hooked.

Interior Design Masters airs on Tuesday nights at 8pm on BBC One – Catch up on BBC iPlayer

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