Isle of Mull interior designer Banjo Beale – recently crowned the winner of BBC One’s Interior Design Masters – will join Scotland’s Home of the Year as a guest judge alongside series stalwarts Anna Campbell-Jones and Michael Angus, while lifestyle blogger Kate Spiers takes a break from filming to welcome her first child. An IWC Media (a Banijay UK company) production for BBC One Scotland, filming on the new seven-part series begins next week as Banjo, Anna and Michael hit the road in search of outstanding homes across Scotland.

Australian-born Banjo - who lives on the Isle of Mull with his partner Ro - describes himself as “an Antipodean Hebridean” who settled in Tobermory in 2014 after backpacking around the world brought the couple to the Scottish island.

Banjo joins Anna and Michael as they go in search of property perfection from bijou properties to grand conversions, traditional to modern, city dwellings to rural havens, as Scotland’s Home of the Year celebrates design, style and amazing architecture. Filming on the new seven-part series for BBC One Scotland, BBC Scotland and BBC iPlayer begins next week (June 2022). Since its launch in 2019, Scotland’s Home of the Year has fast become one of BBC Scotland’s most successful brands, captivating audiences on TV and online.

Earlier this month, converted croft house New Tolsta in Stornoway on the Isle of Lewis won the coveted title of Scotland’s Home of the Year 2022, beating off stiff competition from across the country.

New guest judge Banjo Beale is looking forward to taking a peek at Scotland’s pads: “What an honour to be joining Scotland’s Home of the Year. I’m always inventing reasons to snoop through people’s homes – now I get to peek into the best homes in Scotland! I had a fabulous time designing homes on Interior Design Masters with Alan Carr and now I get to be the judge. I have opinions and I ain’t afraid to use them! But I can’t wait to uncover the spaces and the people behind them. I’m an Australian living on the Isle of Mull and Scotland has been my home for eight years. I think as a nation we’re seriously underestimated for our design, heart and bravery which we show in our houses and I’m chuffed to showcase the best of the best.”

Judge and interior designer Anna Campbell-Jones says: “I watched Interior Design Masters avidly and knew from the start that Banjo would win. His design instinct is spot on and this, with the humour and humanity he showed, makes him an absolutely brilliant addition to the SHOTY family. I know we will have lots of fun working together and that viewers will be equally entertained

Architectural expert and judge, Michael Angus adds: “Delighted to see Banjo joining the judging team. We will miss Kate, of course, but I’m sure Banjo shall bring his own unique enthusiastic take on things!”

Tony Nellany, BBC Scotland’s Channel Manager & Commissioning Executive, welcomes the return of the popular series and guest judge Banjo: “Scotland’s Home of the Year is a phenomenon and we’re delighted to welcome it back for a fifth series. Online, on demand and on TV, audiences delight in taking a peek at pads across Scotland. Banjo is a terrific talent who will bring his extensive interior design wisdom, critical eye and sense of fun to the SHOTY judging team, alongside Anna and Michael.”

Pauline Law, Executive Producer for IWC Media, adds: “We’re delighted to be making a fifth series of Scotland’s Home of the Year and thrilled to have Banjo as our guest judge. Once again we’ve been scouring the country and can promise some remarkable homes will be competing for the 2023 title.”