Derek on show for TV debut (From Penarth Times)

Derek on show for TV debut

3:10pm Thursday 1st October 2009 in Latest news By Phil Tibballs

PENARTH will soon have a new TV star – after a local estate agent was asked to appear on a BBC One property show.

Derek Richardson, owner of Squarefoot on Windsor Road, will be seen giving expert advice on Homes Under The Hammer, when the episode airs next year.

The programme follows three properties or areas of land requiring significant work that were bought at auction.

Derek was joined by a camera crew on location in Cogan last month, to give his thoughts on a vacant site at the junction of Pill Street and Little Dock Street.

The 38-year-old set up his estate agency 18 months ago – and freely admits that a change of career into the world of television is unlikely!

“Normally you can’t shut me up," he said.

"But as soon as I was in front of the camera I froze.

“I don’t know who the developer is, but I had to give my advice on how much the rental and sale values of a new build on the site would be.

“I also had to talk a bit about the area, and I explained how the houses in Cogan were originally built for dockers who worked in Cardiff Dock.

“Some of the locals came out of their houses and the kids were shouting over,” added Derek.

“I think they thought I was famous!

“It’s not every day you get asked to go on TV, and it was good to promote the town, but I don’t have any plans to change career just yet!”

Building work on the site is expected to start next month and, once complete, Derek will return to give his summing-up before the show airs early next year.

More photographs and videos of the filming session can be seen at www.squarefootestateagents.com