A name that inspired living room design across the UK Anna Ryder Richardson’s life has taken a different turn since becoming the owner of her own zoo
Following her time as the host of a classic 90s show that transformed the nation’s living rooms, Anna Ryder Richardson has been on a weird and wild journey since Changing Rooms came to an end in 2004.
The interior design icon, Ryder Richardson lit up screens alongside Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen in the BBC reality show that ran for 10 seasons.
Originally finding her passion for design while working in a children’s interior shop, she launched her own interior design company and got her first big break on TV with her own design segment on GMTV in 1996.
During this time she would strike up a friendship with none other than celebrity chef Ainsley Harriot, who would introduce her to some producers before she become one of the key designers Changing Rooms.
When the show finished in 2004 Anna went on to appear in I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here in 2007 and became the sixth person to leave the jungle.
But the jungle wasn’t the only place Anna would get to know wildlife, bizarrely becoming the founder of Manor Wildlife Park, a zoo in rural Pembrokeshire.
The designer bought and transformed the zoo alongside her ex-husband in 2008. She even documented her incredible mission to transform the site back into a Welsh tourist hotspot for the TV series Chaos at The Zoo.
Under their tenure, the zoo has undergone major works including building a £300,000 rhino house as well as bringing in new species such as lions, zebras, and parrots.
Owning the zoo was never plain sailing for the couple and caused various strains in their relationship. Sadly, they divorced in 2017, speaking to the Mail Online that “stresses and strains and expense of running our wildlife park have destroyed our marriage”.
The rift became public soon after their split as they became locked in a vicious legal battle for ownership something she described as a “horrid limbo”.
Speaking on the ‘How To Be 60’ podcast, the 61-year-old told Loose Women anchor Kaye Adams: “I am enjoying a bit of celibacy, to be honest… but we’ve dived straight in there, haven’t we? I’m officially still married for another few weeks.
“It’s been probably the worst time, I think. It’s actually been going on for such a long time. Have I wasted all that time? Being in this horrid limbo and control and not really living my life, even though I look like them.”
In October 2024, the dispute seems to have been resolved with Ryder Richardson returning to her role managing the zoo.
In a statement the former TV star said: “I am very excited, it has been a long time coming, but I am finally back with my beloved animals, incredible team, and excited to greet our visitors into the park. I have huge plans for the future of Manor Wildlife Park.”