Grand Design's Kevin McCloud wins Liverpool seal of approval with brutal swipe at 'rival'

A freezing cold January night on the first proper Monday of the year did not stop people from coming out to the Philharmonic Hall for Kevin McCloud.

The Hope Street venue was packed out as the Grand Designs host arrived in the city with his first UK live tour, Home Truths. I wasn't sure what to expect from a property expert's live show but was excited to see how the charismatic broadcaster would translate a show for the stage.

The 64-year-old received a warm applause from the crowd as he arrived on the stage and detailed an interaction with a fan before the performance as an example of why he always enjoys visiting Merseyside. He said: "I love coming to Liverpool.

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"I love the people, the architecture. I just met a man on the street by the stage door as I was going to my car and he gave me a copy of Pevsner's Liverpool. Thank you very much.

"He came up to me in the street and gave me an architectural volume. Other people just wanted a selfie."

Kevin has forged an incredible career in broadcasting as he has fronted the popular Channel 4 programme since 1999. His passion for Grand Designs remains as strong as ever and fans in the crowd last night were able to get a fascinating insight into the production of the show.

However, it was surprising to hear about the programme's tough beginning - and how commissioners weren't convinced if the format would ever find an audience. Last night's event laid bare just how wrong they were and opened my eyes into just how much of a cultural phenomenon Grand Designs had become.

I was a casual fan of the programme who was happy to tune