Woman who battled cancer alone in lockdown fights back tears as she shares her plans for her dream home, which she designed while having treatment, on tonight’s Grand Designs
- Corinne has lived in the same terraced house in Sydenham Hill, south London for more than two decades
- Her divorce, followed by her cancer diagnosis gave her the confidence pursue her dream renovation
- The chef becomes emotional as she shows presenter Kevin McCloud the plans for her new home
A woman who battled cancer alone in lockdown appears visibly emotional as she shows Kevin McCloud plans for her dream home in South London in tonight’s episode of Grand Designs.
Appearing on the programme, which airs tonight at 9pm on Channel 4, Corinne explains how she has lived in the same terraced house in Sydenham for the past 24 years.
However, the chef has always dreamed of having her own truly spectacular kitchen and dining room where she could host dinner parties for friends.
After separating from her second husband, Corinne also underwent cancer treatment during the pandemic – which only made her more determined to make her dream a reality.
‘Something good has to come of [my] cancer diagnosis.’ The twice-divorced chef fought back tears as she opened up about why she wanted to embark on the project
After going through cancer treatment alone in lockdown, Corinne decided to gut her South London home and create her dream al fresco kitchen. Pictured after the renovation was complete
Corinne’s dream kitchen leads out onto her rooftop terrace, which boasts stunning views of the surrounding area
Corinne’s bedroom now overlooks the stunning surrounding wildlife. The chef fought back tears as she discussed plans with Grand Designs host Kevin McCloud
Unusually for London, the very bottom of Corinne’s garden sits on a hill surrounded by stunning woodland.
The episode follows the chef as she transforms this slither of land into a sensational al fresco dining experience – with the kitchen overlooking her gorgeous rooftop garden terrace.
Talking host Kevin McCloud through her plans at the start of the episode, a visibly emotional Corinne said: ‘On the second floor – it’s really exciting – I’m going to have a roof garden with [cooking space] as well.
‘This is what I love. [I’ll be able to] invite people round for dinner and drinks on the roof terrace and invite people to come and cook with me in a gorgeous kitchen.’
Furthermore, the ambitious chef revealed that she drew up her renovation plans while she was still having treatment in hospital.
Kevin McCloud – pictured outside the Sydenham home – questioned why Corinne wanted to go to the effort of the renovation. She replied: ‘I love where I live but the house that I live in isn’t me.’
Corinne’s sleek, modern kitchen -pictured from the window – has a minimal design and overlooks the rooftop terrace to give it an ‘al fresco’ feel
She continued: ‘[I told myself], “a way that you can do this Corinne is by focusing on this build project and making sure that this is the good that comes out of your cancer diagnosis”.’
However, that didn’t stop Kevin from questioning why she wanted to go to all the effort of building her dream kitchen just a few steps away from her current one.
She continued: ‘I love where I live but the house that I live in isn’t me.
‘It’s been created with an ex-husband… or two!’
‘Now you’ve got the opportunity to do something just for you,’ Kevin replied.
‘Yes,’ Corinne said. ‘Just for me.’
As seems to be the case with any renovation, things don’t quite go to plan for Corinne during the build.
Early setbacks with groundworks, the surging cost of materials and Corinne’s expensive tastes, means a relationship with her contractor – which started out amiably enough – is soon put under real pressure.
Watch Grand Designs at 9pm on Tuesdays on Channel 4.