Tributes paid to Harry Greene, Bargoed's TV DIY star (From Campaign Series)

Tributes paid to Harry Greene, Bargoed's TV DIY star

1:45pm Wednesday 13th March 2013 in News

TRIBUTES have been paid to the UK’s first DIY presenter Harry Greene who died as he returned to his beloved home this month.

The Bargoed-born dad led a DIY revolution with his ITV programme ‘Handy Round the Home’ in the Fifties and his catchphrase "Safety first, DIY second" made him a household name.

In the ‘80s he worked on TV-AM devising and producing the series called ‘Dream Home’ then fronted the BBC programme ‘On The House’.

He also appeared in more than 40 films opposite stars of the stage and screen including Sean Connery and John Gielgud.

The father of three children, including former Blue Peter presenter Sarah Greene, collapsed as he came home from shopping near his house and died the same day on March 4.

Leading tributes, his son-in-law Mike Smith said: "He made DIY fashionable and accessible.

"Some of his best ideas were borrowed by various TV executives and put on air.

"It’s going to take a while to absorb the shock of his passing."

Mr Greene attended Cardiff College of Art before getting into stage design then launched an acting career with his wife Marjie on the ITV soap ‘Round at the Redways’.

Playing a handyman on the soap, he was able to convince TV executives to let him present the first DIY programme on UK television Handy Round the Home.

His son-in-law said had had been a devoted father who had modified and built his property with his own hands for his family.

He also taught drama at Tredegar Grammar School as well as West Lea School in London and wrote the authoritative book The Harry Greene Complete DIY Problem Solver.