George Clarke

George Clarke (born 27 May 1974) is an English architect, television presenter, lecturer and writer, best known for his work on the Channel 4 programmes The Home Show, The Restoration Man, George Clarke's Old House New Home, and George Clarke's Amazing Spaces.

Clarke was born in Sunderland, County Durham and brought up on a council estate in the Washington area.

His mother, Anne, worked at Oxclose Comprehensive School, where Clarke was a pupil.

His father, a printer died at the age of 26 from a water-skiing accent, George was 7 at the time.

His mother later remarried.

By his own admission, Clarke was a popular but very shy child.

Both Clarke's grandfathers were builders and, after spending school holidays in and around building sites, he decided he wanted to be an architect from the age of 12:

"There was nothing else I ever wanted to do. When most of the kids were playing with building blocks and pieces of Lego, I was actually on building sites."

Clarke studied for a BTEC in Building and Construction at Wearside College, Sunderland, before gaining a First Class BA Honours in Architectural Studies and a Certificate in Architectural Practice from Newcastle University School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape, followed by a post-graduate diploma from London's Bartlett School of Architecture.

Whilst he was a student, Clarke supported himself financially by renovating people's homes in his spare time.

After graduating in 1995, Clarke trained and worked with FaulknerBrowns in Newcastle upon Tyne, before joining world-famous architect Sir Terry Farrell, working in both London and Hong Kong.

In 1998, with partner Bobby Desai, he formed his own company, clarke:desai – clients included Simon Fuller and Jamie Oliver.

Between 2001 and 2003, Clarke was a visiting lecturer at Newcastle University.

He is currently a visiting lecturer at the Nottingham University's School for the Built Environment.

Clarke has set up a charity organisation called Ministry of Building Innovation and Education (MOBIE) which is designed to train and inspire young people into the innovation and design of homes in the U.K. and abroad.

MOBIE also designed a course in partnership with Teesside University.

Clarke's television career came about by chance.

He had approached a literary agent after being asked to write a book about architecture, not realising the agency also represented television presenters.

He was subsequently asked to screen test for a new Channel 5 programme called Build A New Life in the Country, which had been struggling to find a suitably charismatic building professional to front the show.

Clarke was offered the job, and then went on to present two more property shows for Channel 5 before being commissioned to present The Restoration Man for Channel 4.

Since 2004, he has been the main presenter for the following programmes:

Property Dreams (2004), Dream Home Abroad (2005) and Build A New Life in the Country (2005–07), all for Channel 5.

Clarke was on the judging panel of the Affordable Home Ownership Housing Awards in 2007.

The Home Show (2008—), The Restoration Man (2010 —), The Great British Property Scandal (2011), The Great British Property Scandal: Every Empty Counts (2012), George Clarke's Amazing Spaces (2012—), Ugly House To Lovely House (2016–2020), Old House New Home (2016—) and George Clarke's Remarkable Renovations (2021—), all for Channel 4.

In 2011, Clarke left clarke:desai and set up a new company George Clarke + Partners, with 25 staff.

At the time Clarke commented:

"I’ve had a fantastic time at clarke:desai and I’m proud of all the projects we have completed over the years, but, as you can imagine, my media work has taken me in a different direction and I now want to start a new company that isn’t just about architecture, but also covers all aspects of the design, build and property development business."

The firm has mainly been involved in renovation and refurbishment projects but it has also designed new buildings.

In April 2012, Clarke was appointed as an independent adviser to the government to help bring thousands of empty properties back into use for families in need of stable, secure homes.

Clarke is a patron of the Civic Trust Awards scheme.

He is an ambassador for the housing and homeless charity Shelter, as well as a Building Community ambassador for the Prince's Foundation.

He is also a supporter of Sunderland A.F.C.

Clarke grew up with three younger sisters.

He met his first wife Catriona, a Spanish national, when he undertook renovation work for her brother.

The couple were married for over 10 years, and had three children before separating in 2013 and subsequently divorcing.

In the later part of 2020 he presented a six part series for Channel 4 visiting National Trust properties which were closed during the coronavirus pandemic (George Clarke's National Trust Unlocked).

In June 2023, Channel 4 commissioned Building Home (w/t), a six-part home renovation series that Clarke will present.

During early 2024, Clarke presented George Clarke's Adventures in Americana, a four-part series about the various nostalgic styles of American buildings.

Clarke is also the author of several books, including: Home Bible (Orion), and Build a New Life: by Creating Your New Home.

Clarke's first children's book Building a Home, was released on 1 February 2024.