George Clarke, the renowned TV presenter and architect, has been a staple on our screens for many years. The 50 year old once confessed in an interview that he considers himself the “happiest man in the world ” as he gets to pursue his passion every day.
Clarke’s transition from designing buildings to discussing projects with other housebuilders on television was sparked by a fortuitous meeting with a literary agent. He has hosted numerous TV shows including Amazing Spaces, Ugly House to Lovely House, Channel 4 series George Clarke’s Old House, New Home and his latest venture, George Clarke’s Remarkable Renovations.
But what about his life away from the limelight?
George Clarke’s early life and career
Born in May 1974, George Clarke has a robust background in architecture, kick-starting his career at a local architect in Washington, his hometown, when he was just 16. He further refined his skills by completing a BTEC in building and construction at Wearside College in Sunderland, which no longer exists.
Following this, Clarke pursued a BA in Architecture at Newcastle University and later earned his post-graduate diploma from The Bartlett School of Architecture at University College London (UCL).
At his home, George Clarke has an incredible wooden office with shelves stacked with books and architectural designs (Image: Mike Lawn/REX/Shutterstock)
After graduating, the father-of-three joined Faulkner Browns in Newcastle and eventually established his own firm, clarke:desai, in 1998. He moved on from there in 2011 to create George Clarke + Partners.
How a chance encounter ignited George Clarke’s TV career
George Clarke’s journey to television stardom was a fortuitous one. After being asked to pen a book on architecture, he caught the attention of a literary agent who also represented TV presenters.
This led to George being invited for a screen test for a new Channel 5 show, Build A New Life In The Country. He impressed and got the job. He went on to host a string of successful shows including The Restoration Man and George Clarke’s Remarkable Renovations.
He didn’t stop there, as he was offered another gig, presenting A Dream Home Abroad for the same channel. In 2008, George made the switch to Channel 4, where he has since presented an array of shows such as The Restoration Man, George Clarke’s Amazing Spaces and 2015’s Amazing Spaces Shed of the Year.
Reflecting on his illustrious TV career, George expressed his gratitude in an interview with the Big Issue: “When I started in television, someone said we’re offering you the job because you’re really passionate about architecture and design.
“I don’t present anything else. I present programmes about architecture and design and property and houses and, you know, tree houses, caravans, camper vans, quirky business spaces. But it’s still design. So I still don’t see myself as a performer.
“When I get paid to wax lyrical about what I am passionate about, it is a privilege. If people watch and enjoy it, are educated or entertained by it, then I’m the happiest man in the world.
The property expert George Clarke has been a familiar face on TV for years (Image: Channel 4)
“I don’t present anything else. I present programmes about architecture and design and property and houses and, you know, tree houses, caravans, camper vans, quirky business spaces. But it’s still design. So I still don’t see myself as a performer.”
“When I get paid to wax lyrical about what I am passionate about, it is a privilege. If people watch and enjoy it, are educated or entertained by it, then I’m the happiest man in the world”.
Family tragedy that caused him to ‘make the absolute most out of life’
TV star George Clarke faced a family tragedy at a tender age, losing his father to a tragic water skiing accident when he was just seven.
In a stirring interview with the Big Issue, he reflected on this pivotal moment that shaped him, saying: “From that young age I think I knew I could either wallow in this and go down a dark road, be angry and bitter about the world that has taken my dad away from me or live every day the best I possibly can. It was awful.
“I was devastated. It’s something I carry every single day. But I decided I was going to make the absolute most out of life. So I’m all in with life. I’m going to enjoy every day.
On reaching the age when his father passed away, Clarke made a poignant pilgrimage from London to Sunderland and back just to visit his father’s grave, revealing the profound impact this loss had on him: “When I was the age my dad was when he died, I travelled from London to Sunderland and back in a day to stop by his grave. I remember saying, every day past today is a day longer than you had. So I’m going to be grateful for every second of it.”
Has George Clarke been married?
George met his first wife Australian female animator and art director Catriona Drummond when George carried out some work for her brother. The pair were married for many years and have three children together, namely, Georgie, Emilio and Iona.
When asked in one interview what his favourite thing to do was, George said: “Going home to see my wife and our children.”
The pair lived in Notting Hill before they split in 2013 and in a statement at the time, he said: “We have been married quite a long time and decided to part. We have separate custody of the kids and are going through an amicable separation and divorce.”
George married his next wife, American fashion marketing and communications consultant Katie Morgan Jones, in September 2018 in a romantic ceremony in Ibiza. Katie and George initially lived in the London property with the children, but then moved to another home in the Cotswolds.
George wrote in The Times: “I’m in Gloucestershire with my wife and three kids. The house, which we bought last year, sits on a steep hill so you enter it at the upper level. We have the kitchen and living room on the first floor, while the bedrooms, bathrooms and storage rooms are on the ground floor.
“I also have a place in London, but home is in the Cotswolds now. I have quite a nomadic life – I travel a lot and spend on average three nights a week in hotels – so I take every opportunity I can to get home.”
George confirmed their split in February 2022, and in July of the same year, he went public with opera singer Florence Hvorostovsky
In a chat with the , the proud dad-of-three agreed that ‘love is the biggest thing in the world’. But said: “On relationships, I’m probably not the best person to talk to because I’ve been divorced twice. So it’s not easy.”
Florence Hvorostovsky and George Clarke are currently in a relationship (Image: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images for Jaguar UK)
Inside George’s home and family life
George, who famously transformed a classic 1960s Notting Hill property in 2015 into a stunning abode, has filled his office space with an overflowing collection of books, photos, and architectural designs.
Discussing his passion for reading, George once remarked: “Books. Reading is one of my escapes. My daughter the other day said, ‘Dad, you’ve got to get rid of some of your books’.
“You can’t see my coffee table anymore because it’s stacked, 10 books high, over the whole thing. If I carry on, soon I won’t be able to see the TV! “.
The stylish residence also boasts a secluded garden studio, which George described in an interview with the Daily Mail: “This studio, which I built in my garden after buying my house three years ago, is where I escape to read and write. It’s so peaceful except for the rumble of the Tube going past, but I love that.”
Reflecting on his home’s 60s vibe, he added, “My house is from the 60s and it reminds me of my mum’s place on an estate in Sunderland though sadly it’s about 15 times more expensive.”
While George is private about his family life, he has shared insights into his children’s interests, revealing on ITV’s Lorraine during a chat with Andi Peters: “I’ve almost thrown them in at the deep end to be honest with you. I think the sooner you get your kids building and doing stuff, the better.
“I think the sooner you teach them the safer it is, getting them to learn how use tools in a really safe way and hammers and power tools and stuff like that, the earlier they start the better. And they got to work on the garden shed which was fantastic.”