The shock BBC Escape to the Country ‘gazumping’ twist couple never saw coming

TV show Escape to the Country has built a reputation over the years of helping people desperate to find their dream home in a rural spot in their chosen county, and in many cases, the buyers go on to actually purchase one of the homes the show has taken them to visit. But in this remarkable story it was almost the other way around. Husband and wife team Gary and Alison had come back home to the UK to settle down after living and working in America, most recently in South Carolina, for over 25 years.

It was the spring of 2021 and the couple had a budget of GBP675,000 to spend on a dream home in Cornwall. They were hoping for at least two bedrooms, space for hobbies, a sun room, private garden and access to dog walks and the coast. For the latest TV & Showbiz news, sign up to our newsletter here.[1]

Sonali Shah, presenter on the BBC1 programme which is on most afternoons, took the couple to the charming village of Perranarworthal near the south coast of Cornwall to visit property number one on the market for GBP650,000, a detached house that didn't totally hit the mark even though it had almost everything on the pair's wish list. YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones' old house is for sale and it's gorgeous [3]

Property one was a no (Image: BBC) Detached house

Property two was a maybe (Image: BBC) Detached house

The mystery house was a 'definitely not' (Image: BBC)

Off to the village of Ashton further south to visit property number two, just a few miles away from a stunning sandy beach, and this time the couple were thrilled by the secluded location, garden, and white-washed period cottage. It was definitely a contender, in fact Alison said they were quietly excited about it.

The asking price was GBP660,000 which, having realised that the Cornish property market after the Covid-19 [4] pandemic was flying, the couple thought was a fair price. For the mystery house, the programme journeyed up the south coast to Looe, near the border with Devon. The couple were expecting something very quirky but what they got was a house that looked like a bungalow but actually had two-storeys and could boast a sea view, but it was surrounded by other houses and it's fair to say the pair were not impressed with the lack of privacy.

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The couple kept looking and found their dream home, but this is where the story gets really interesting (Image: BBC)

As soon as they visited this former farmhouse, the couple fell for its 'soul' (Image: BBC)

So, despite the show's best efforts, Alison and Gary wandered off into the Cornish sunset still homeless but vowing to keep searching until they found a property that filled their hearts with joy. And soon after, they found their dream home in Cornwall and did not hesitate in putting in an offer, which was accepted.

The couple had realised that they needed to increase their budget to GBP695,000, to give themselves more chance in the fast-paced market and that helped them find their dream, white-washed farmhouse in an idyllic location within walking distance of three beaches. All was going well with the purchase until the couple turned on the television a few weeks later to settle down with a cup of tea to watch Escape to the Country. Gary said: "I said to Alison, let's pop it on (the show) and take a look because it was from Cornwall.

Alison was in the kitchen and I said, 'I think I just saw the house that we're buying in the opening credits!'. Alison came in and we both looked at each other and said, 'Oh my God!'. It was a big surprise!"

It's easy to see why Alison and Gary were captivated (Image: BBC)

Spacious country-style kitchen diner was a 'big tick' too (Image: BBC)

Yes, there was presenter Steve Brown happily showing house hunting couple Jackie and Michael the house that Alison and Gary had fallen for and were in the process of buying, having already had an offer accepted.

But they had not totally secured the property yet, and now some other couple were rummaging around inside it - and they were on Alison and Gary's TV. Chatting about this amazing property story with Alison and Gary, Sonali was visibly shocked and asked the couple how long after seeing the house did they then see it on the show? It was only five weeks after having their offer accepted that the pretty 19th century former farmhouse was on daytime television and being viewed by someone else.

At that time contracts had been exchanged but the couple were waiting for final completion before they could legally call the farmhouse their new home.

Ummm, excuse me Steve but this house is taken (Image: BBC) Sonali Shah, presenter

Sonali looking sheepish - the show could have ended very differently with two of the show's couples fighting over one house (Image: BBC)

Luckily, Jackie and Michael decided it wasn't the home for them, otherwise it could have been a rather awkward scenario - two Escape to the Country couples fighting over one house - a remarkable situation that would have made an even more unique and gripping episode. This story was part of I Escaped to the Country series seven, episode 10, currently available to view on BBC [7] iPlayer. For more property stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here [8], and join the Amazing Welsh Homes property Facebook group here [9].

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References

^ sign up to our newsletter here. (www.walesonline.co.uk)
^ Welsh town 'with everything' ruins BBC Escape to the Country property hunt (www.walesonline.co.uk)
^ Gavin and Stacey star Ruth Jones' old house is for sale and it's gorgeous (www.walesonline.co.uk)
^ Covid-19 (www.walesonline.co.uk)
^ Apple (go.skimresources.com)
^ Android (play.google.com)
^ BBC (www.walesonline.co.uk)
^ sign up to the property newsletter here (www.walesonline.co.uk)
^ Amazing Welsh Homes property Facebook group here (www.facebook.com)