Overview
The serious challenge is to redecorate and makeover a number of rooms in a house in 60 minutes. The houseowner is usually nominated by a relative or friend for a secret visit by the 60MM team who remodel their house whilst they are away. The team has the task of completing the total renovation of run-down and tired rooms before the houseowner returns home. The houseowner approaches their house in a taxi/car to be greeted by a crowd of supporters prior to the big reveal. They are given a tour of their remodeled rooms by the host who invites them to react to the changes. At the end of the reveal, the expert's identity is also revealed with an emotional response from the participants. The cost of the makeover is stated at the end of each show which obviously excludes the labour fees. The houseowner earning the makeover is often in need of help due to illness or difficult times which adds to their emotional reaction to the completed makeover. Throughout the makeover, the presenter keeps time with a stopwatch and marks breaks in the task with a loud whistle. Half-way through the task, the team take a well-earned tea break which gives the designer an opportunity to assess the progress of the makeover. The team return to work once the host starts the stopwatch again.
Claire Sweeney was the original host, presenting the programme for several series before Terri Dwyer took over. In series 7, 60MM was fronted and timed by the designer who also acted as presenter with commentary provided by Alex Hall. From series 7 to date, the number of rooms made over has been reduced from 4 to 3, to cut production costs.
In Spring 2011, the programme returned to its original format and was given a new look with Catherine Gee as the new host for series 8 with the designers once again concentrating on remodeling the rooms as prior to series 7. The team decorate three rooms per show. Gee also provides the narration for the show.
Current designers are John Amabile, Derek Taylor, Linda Barker, Scott Waldron and Ann Hazell.
Big Brother winner Craig Phillips has previously featured as one of the regular handymen.
The show's Executive Producer until 2011 was Sarah Caplin, who has now left ITV. In 2012, Alexander Gardiner took over Caplin's role.
The programme was shortlisted for a Broadcast Award 2010 in the "Best Daytime Programme" category.
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