A BOWNESS teenager was shocked when his hero turned up at his house.

Joe Gaukroger, 15, was playing the piano in his living room when none other than Sir Chris Hoy poked his head around the door.

Sir Chris, Britain's most successful cyclist, spent a weekend at the Dome House Boutique Bed and Breakfast, Bowness, which was designed by Joe's parents, Robert and Milla, and featured on Grand Designs in 2011.

Joe had recently decided that he wants to become a professional cyclist and meeting his idol was a dream come true.

"It was an honour to meet him," said Joe.

"He's the nicest guy you could ever meet and he's really generous.

"I was sat playing the piano when he came in.

"It was a bit awkward because he was on the television and then he was standing right next to me!"

Sir Chris took pictures with Joe and signed autographs for his friends but also imparted some words of wisdom onto the young cycling enthusiast.

Joe said: "I asked him how often he used to train and he said he did seven hours a day, six days a week.

"He gave me some advice about cornering, distributing my weight and staying safe.

"He's the nicest guy you could meet and he's really generous."

Joe's dad, Robert, said: "When we got a booking from a C. Hoy I said to my son: 'There can't be many C. Hoy's in the world'! Chris has been high on my son's legend list since he got into cycling so it was great for him to actually meet him."

The five star Dome House Boutique shot to fame after it featured on Channel 4's flagship show Grand Designs.

Robert and Milla renovated and extended a 'rather ugly looking' 1980's house overlooking Windermere and transformed it into a staggering dome shaped property complete with everything from a grass roof to hot tubs, swimming pool and five luxury guest rooms.

Apparently, Sir Chris has been dying to stay at Dome House since it appeared on television.

"He said it has been on his and his wife's bucket list for three years after he saw it on TV and he finally found a moment that worked for him," said Robert.