News, Manchester
Interior Design Masters winner and Stockport teacher John Cooper has said reminding himself of the advice he gave his students got him through the most challenging parts of the competition.
The design and technology teacher was named the winner of the 1 show’s sixth series last week following his Mediterranean-inspired transformation of a cottage in Portmeirion, Wales.
Speaking to Radio Manchester, Cooper said he had to “take his own advice” during the most challenging parts of the experience, particularly the four times he was up for elimination or “on the couch”.
He said: “Each time it would have been so easy to put my hands up and think, I can’t do this anymore.”
Cooper added: “In the back of my head I was thinking about the students and what I tell the students – don’t give up, persevere, and all that sort of stuff.
“I thought, what is the best example I can be here?”
He said he had to “keep quiet and go back to my normal life” after filming wrapped in September. Students at the school started tuning in in April when she show started to air.
Cooper said: “I would get a grilling when I’d go in, like ‘you’ve been on the sofa again’ or ‘tell us who the winner is’.
“I’ve been on half term, so I don’t know how they’re going to react when I see them.”
He said the show’s host, comedian Alan Carr, helped him get through the tough times.
“He’s so, so funny 100% of the time,” Cooper said.
“When he rocks up and you’re stressing… he comes along and he makes you smile and he makes you happy.”
After 19 years of teaching, Cooper said he would finish up at the end of the school year to pursue a full-time career in interior design.
“That’s been the dream for all this time and it’s actually becoming a reality now,” he said.
