The weird and wonderful world of sheds has given Leigh builder Ricky Tate his big break on TV.

Ricky, 30, has been chosen as the joint presenter of Shedheads, shown on the cable and satellite Discovery Home and Leisure channel.

Shed expert - Ricky Tate measures up for TV fame Picture: MIKE MINERS

The programme features sheds built by the self-employed builder, who beat off stiff competition from more than 50 applicants for the presenter's job.

Ricky, of Leigh Road, said: "Another bloke and I build just about every type of shed, from a log cabin to a geodesic skeleton-framed dome.

"The shows include planning, construction and finishing."

Ricky's charm and energy were pitted against applicants from across the country for the presenting job.

Ricky said: "I had an agonising wait of about six weeks before they told me I'd got it. "I'd worked so hard not to raise my hopes that when I heard, it just didn't sink in at first. Then I thought, blimey, I'm a TV presenter."

He went on: "In four weeks we filmed ten shows and built nine sheds. One of them needed two programmes."

And there may be more work in the pipeline on Discovery Channel and the BBC.

"Everybody in the business warns me you have to do a lot of waiting," he cheerfully admitted.

So while he wrestles with the idea of signing up with an agent, it's back to reality as a local builder.

Published Thursday, April 24, 2003

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