Dermot Bannon on haters, housing and his health: 'I was weeks away from a heart attack - I was terrified'

"The Room to Improve hosts talks about his spats with homeowners, how prioritising his health in 2025 helped him lose 7 kilos and why he's turned down Dancing with the Stars numerous times but would love to be on The Traitors Here's one thing I certainly didn't expect Dermot Bannon to say: that when it comes to the way he lives his life and the way he treats people, Cilla Black has proved to be a major influence."

"The TV architect, now 53, is talking about his much-documented appearance on the ITV juggernaut Blind Date at the age of 21. Bannon appeared in the line-up of three male suitors hoping to land a date with a young Scottish 18-year-old called Jenni Falconer, who would go on in time to become a broadcaster in her own right. Bannon, famously, was an architectural student in the UK at the time and found himself encountering the show's researchers, who scoured student union bars for potential candidates."

Dermot Bannon prioritised his health in 2025 and lost seven kilos. He hosts Room to Improve and has had public spats with homeowners. He has repeatedly turned down Dancing with the Stars but would like to appear on The Traitors. Cilla Black proved to be a major influence on the way he lives and treats people. He appeared on ITV's Blind Date at 21 as one of three male suitors for Jenni Falconer. The appearance occurred while he was an architectural student in the UK and researchers recruited candidates from student union bars.

Read at Independent