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'It was a very tragic end': Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen reveals struggle after father's death

Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen is known for his wit and outrageous sense of humour as a charismatic judge on Channel Seven’s hit home renovation show House Rules.

And while his amusing and entertaining approach to life was certainly out in force during an interview with Sunday Night, LLB also revealed a serious side, detailing the tragic death of his father.

When Laurence was nine years old, his dad Trefor was diagnosed with cancer.

“He was diagnosed with leukemia at Christmas and he was dead by July,” Laurence told Melissa Doyle.

“I mean, it really was a very, very awfully quick and very tragic decline and end.

“And one of the things that I hated the most about it was the visibility of it, which sounds odd coming from Mr Wallpaper Suit, but I didn't like the fact that actually at school all the teachers kept coming up to me and saying, 'Oh are you alright?' and all the children being told to be nice to me and stuff.

“Actually all I wanted was just for life to carry on.”

And carry on he has. Before his success in Australia, Laurence built a lengthy career on television in the UK and Asia.

After 20 years in the industry and countless appearances on a variety of reality shows, Laurence and his wife Jackie have become one of Britain’s best-known couples.

Eight months ago, the pair became grandparents for the first time with the arrival of their grandson, Albion.

LLB at home as a judge on Channel 7's House Rules.
LLB at home as a judge on Channel 7's House Rules.

And, as Laurence approached his golden years, his trademark sense of humour is never far away, always finding an opportunity for a laugh – even at his own expense.

“What happened to the young, Harry Styles lookalike that was me 20 years ago? It looks like I have eaten him,” Laurence joked.

“But, you know, so what? I am not really that bothered about it. I really don't think Jackie is either, we are very happy to be growing old pretty disgracefully.”