TV host and architect Dermot Bannon is happy to be back at work as he helped complete the renovation work on his home.

Ilming in Room to Improve was stopped this summer, but filming resumed when restrictions were eased. While he initially enjoyed idle time, he was happy to do ‘up-tools’ again.

“I’ve been improving room to room for the last 13 years, and like this rolling machine you start a new series as soon as you’re done,” he told the RTE guide.

“Or sometimes, you have something you never completed, and you are still in it.

“It never ended. I’m got a three – month break from it for the first time, and now I really want to go back to it.”

The architect recently moved into a newly renovated home in Drukondra, where he spent time with his three children, Sarah (15), James (11) and Tom (7).

“I think I’m a little tired of that. The lockdown gave me a kick in the back, so I’m looking forward to it this year,” he said.

“I had time to sit and enjoy [the house] It was great in the summer and the garden was amazing.

“We had no money left, so we did not get any other planned features in the garden.

“That’s why I have to go to work,” he laughed.

“But we lit a fire there and we all sat down. The pace of life slowed. We cooked and every Friday we made pizza. ”

“It’s great to spend that time with family and home,” he added.

“If it weren’t for the lockdown, I’m still leaving home at 7am and getting home at 8pm, not learning to appreciate it,” he said.

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