A FORMER Manchester United footballer was in the Bradford district filming a popular BBC show.
Striker-turned-TV presenter Dion Dublin visited Silsden for the long-running factual renovation and auction programme Homes Under the Hammer.
The episode aired this lunchtime, having been filmed in May of last year and August 2023.
Dublin went to view a former chapel of rest, not too far away from the village centre.
Upon inspection, he thought it would be great to turn it into a two-bedroom bungalow.
The building was in "good nick" and the transformation from commercial use to residential use would be "pretty simple".
Dublin surmised by saying: "A good solid building in a lovely area and the budget would not have to be too big to turn this place around."
Michael Leighton, of Leightons Estate Agency in Cross Hills, valued the property between £240,000-£250,000 if renovations were made.
The property went to auction for a guide price of £75,000 on May 11, 2022.
It was snapped up by jack of all trades Ray for £101,000.
The property owner was determined to complete the purchase as soon as he saw it on the market.
He said: "Once I had a look around and feel of it, I had to talk to it and be at one.
"The property said to me 'buy me, I'm yours, make me a nice home'."
Ray, 49, wanted to convert it into assisted living, accessible for wheelchair users.
He has been an electrical and gas engineer since the age of 17.
Dublin quipped: "That's going to save you a couple of quid."
And how right he was!
Ray initially set the budget out as £50,000 with a six-month time scale.
14 months on, Homes Under the Hammer revisited the property to see it completely transformed.
Having gained planning permission, the tradesman created a "crisp modern look" for the bungalow.
Ray installed two bedrooms, a wetroom, and a kitchen all accessible for wheelchair users.
He also redid parts of the exterior and created a nice front garden.
All the work was done off his own back meaning in total he only spent £15,000.
Leighton returned this August to say the owner had done a "fantastic job".
Ray was in disbelief when he heard the £850pcm rental valuation.
Although he has decided the property will serve the community.
He said: "My company has a contract with NHS. We will be giving this home to end-of-life patients."
To watch the full Homes Under the Hammer episode, visit BBC iPlayer.
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