Grand Designs tragedies – devastating death news to ‘saddest house ever’

The Channel 4 staple has been adored by fans for the past two decades but during this time the beloved show has been witness to devastating events over the years.

Kevin McCloud has presented Grand Designs since 1999.

Kevin McCloud began presenting Grand Designs 26 years and the first ever episode aired on Channel 4 in 1999. The show has had plenty of heartwarming moments throughout its time on air with a strong focus on human-led stories behind the grand renovation projects. However, viewers have also seen some heartbreaking moments which have brought tears to people’s eyes.

Kevin, 66, has previously dished on why Grand Designs has been so successful. He told Hello! :”Grand Designs has a really broad spectrum audience that doesn’t happen in television. Our programme appeals to all groups, and not just in small numbers. One of the most gratifying things about my job is when I go to Grand Designs Live, I get 33 year olds and 38 year olds coming up to me, saying, ‘I started watching when I was a kid with my parents and I’m now an architect, or a surveyor or in engineering, because you were there for me along the way’.”

Express.co.uk are taking an inside look into some of the tragedies aired on the programme from devastating death news to the “saddest house ever”.

Tributes pour in after tragic death

Tributes poured in for a Grand Designs star, Pep, after the Channel 4 renovation programme revealed that she had died during filming after a brave battle with cancer. During the episode of the reality series that aired in October, viewers were introduced to Malene and her partner Pep, who was living with terminal cancer while passionately spearheading the project to build their dream home. They were building their take on a Viking Hall in a touching nod to Malene’s Danish heritage.

From the start of the project Pep took on an assertive role spearheading the project to watching from a window. The renovations were far from over but her health began to deteriorate. Kevin revealed she had entered palliative care.

Sadly, with the renovation incomplete, Kevin later confirmed: “Just short of three long years, Pep faced down her cancer diagnosis with a courage and determination that was inspiring, but in the closing weeks Pep finally reached the end.”

Malene continued with their project amid the devastating loss and five months completed the renovation.

Most heartbreaking house

In 2023 Grand Designs visited Graeme and Mel. The couple met through heartbreaking circumstances after both their teenage daughters lost a parent. Graeme and Melanie then envisioned building a three-bedroom three-storey home for their new, blended family.

With a maximum budget of £450,000, the couple quickly ran into money woes, and in September 2023, it looked like their dream home would not become a reality.

In total they spent £550,000 and began to rely on family and friends for contributions.

Thankfully, when Kevin returned this year their family home had finally been completed.

‘Saddest ever’ Grand Designs home

The “saddest ever” house featured on Grand Designs has finally sold after 12 years of renovations. Chesil Cliff House was bought by construction owner Edward Short, 57, but left him with a staggering £7m debt.

The building of the house took 12 years and went several million pounds over budget due to the recession, and it ultimately led to the end of his marriage to former wife Hazel.

The property was showcased on Channel 4’s Grand Designs, with many viewers labelling it the “saddest episode” since it was broadcast in 2019. The five-bedroom Devon property has since been purchased for £5.25m after it was put back on the market in 2024.

Viewers were left in tears

Grand Designs viewers branded a 2024 episode the “best ever” leaving many in tears. The show followed Kara, Jonny and their young family, who won over hearts across the nation in their bid to build an accessible home in the Pennines in West Yorkshire.

Kara was left paralysed after suffering a seizure on a holiday while in Spain in 2019, after which she was unexpectedly left in a wheelchair for life. The mother-of-two was diagnosed with neuromyelitis optica (NMO), an autoimmune condition that flares up and threatens damage to the nervous system.

She and Jonny built their dream home featuring stunning interiors with gorgeous countryside views with accessibility features allowing Kara to gain some independence again.