Trading Spaces star Frank Bielec has died aged 72 after suffering from a heart attack.
The humorous interior designer starred on the home makeover show between 2000 and 2008, transforming homes before the camera.
Bielec’s wife Judy confirmed his death in a statement released to TMZ, revealing the reality star died in hospital on Friday.
The day before, the reality star suffered a heart attack in his Texas home, and was rushed to a nearby hospital in the town of Katy.
He was then transferred to a hospital in Houston for specialized treatment, where he later died.
According to the publication, the surgical team operating on Bielec were moved to tears after he died.
Bielec’s wife Judy confirmed no funeral service would be taking place, though he will be cremated with his ashes placed over the fireplace in their shared home.
Trading Spaces star Frank Bielec has died aged 72 (Image: Getty Images for Discovery)
Since news of his death broke, tributes to his legacy on the home improvement show have been flooding in over social media.
Trading Spaces star Vern Yip shared a photo of the two friends, saying: “Lovely Frank Bielec passed away today from complications following a heart attack. Funny, wise, nice, and talented, he always lent perspective and levity to every situation.
“Thanks you for always being kind to me. I will miss you dearly friend. #FrankBielec #RIP #TradingSpaces.”
Frank rose to fame on the hit DIY makeover show (Image: Getty Images)
TLC also posted a tribute to the late designer, saying: “A sad day for the TLC family as we learn of the passing of beloved Trading Spaces designer Frank Bielec. We will miss and remember him fondly, his quirky style and wonderful sense of humor.
“We share our love and condolences with the entire Bielec family at this difficult time.”
Airing on TLC, Trading Spaces saw US neighbours swap houses, redesigning a room in each other’s home with a thousand-dollar budget.
Frank first appeared on Trading Spaces back in 2000, rising to fame as a quirky interior designer (Image: Getty Images for Discovery)
Based on the BBC home makeover show Changing Rooms, the reality series had a successful eight-year-long run.
Decades before launching his reality TV career on Trading Spaces, Bielec worked as an elementary school teacher, teaching art and social studies.
With a passion for art, he went on to study Fine Art in university, leaving teaching behind him.
He worked as a florist for 20 years, and also set up a cross-stitching company with his wife Judy called Mosey ‘n Me.
Speaking about his appearance on Trading Spaces in a 2009 interview with Katy Magazine, Bielec reflected on the family-like atmosphere on the set.
He said: “I was the oldest one on the set so they treated me like gold. They looked to me like a father figure.”
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
