Celebrity builder and TV presenter Craig Phillips aimed for perfection. Debbie Johnson finds out whether he succeeded

READERS with a good memory might think that Craig Phillips’s luxury apartment looks a little familiar.

That would be because its creation featured on the TV show Conversion – a 10-part series detailing the former builder and Big Brother winner’s challenge to restore and refurbish a Victorian house in Kensington.

Four apartments were created, each with a different theme – Craig’s own base is on the top floor, with the theme of “the future”.

Since the programme was shown, Craig’s involvement in the area has grown – he has recently completed refurbishing the house next door as well, with three apartments there ready to rent out. He also owns a plot of land which would have featured a similar property – if it hadn’t been bombed during the war.

Craig says: “I bought the first house years ago. I was a builder for 10 years before Big Brother, and it was a job I enjoyed but a job just the same. Now, with my media career, it is more of a hobby and I really enjoy it.

“Doing something like this is wonderful. Kensington was obviously once very grand, but has seen its share of hard times. Now it is definitely on the up. It is a great location – 10 minutes from the city centre, and from the motorways. And you get more space, privacy, parking and security than being right in the heart of the city.”

Craig’s main home is now in Shropshire, but he lives in the Kensington apartment when in Liverpool. He says: “It is really convenient, if I have been working or socialising in Liverpool. I’m really proud of the way they have turned out – they are done to a really high spec, and the workmanship is of a very high standard.”

Craig’s apartment is a mezzanine with two bedrooms, and the whole place is painted white, with light beech wooden floors and under-floor heating.

The living and dining area is open-plan, furnished with contrasting dark wood and leather furniture and white lacquered shelves. The kitchen is fitted with all white units, and polished black granite surfaces.

There is also a 59” television – “I know that sounds huge but the room is so big it doesn’t look it,” laughs Craig – and a view up to the stunning mezzanine, which has a pine spindled handrail and fawn carpets.

There are two bathrooms, one en-suite, which are both white tiled but with a difference: “The tiles are rectangular, and the effect is that of a brick wall. It’s really unusual.” The en-suite has black and white harlequin tiles on the floor, and both have chrome fittings.

The main bedroom has a king- size bed with a low-level light brown suede bedstead, with white built-in wardrobes.

Craig says: “It is a great apartment. I’ve been to a lot of so-called luxury places in the city centre that are nowhere near as good as this.”

Since winning Big Brother changed his life, to say Craig has been busy would be an understatement.

He is currently filming 60 Minute Makeover with former Hollyoaks star Terri Dwyer, and is working on licensing his own range of hand-held power tools and workwear.

He sold his building training academy on to national firm Carter and Carter, and also endorses a range of products for Everbuild. His own website – www.craigphillips.co.uk – should also be up and running by the end of this series of Big Brother.

He says: “It seemed a lot more innocent when I was on. The people weren’t so desperate for fame, and as a result had more to offer.

“ I’m a businessman and I’ve made the most of the media opportunities that I have received, and been lucky enough to combine my skills with that.

“But, on the odd day when I don’t have anything media-wise to do, you can still find me in Kensington, or my other project in Bootle, pitching in on site.”