Escape To The Country host fights back tears as she 'gets emotional on show for the first time EVER' after widow's heartbreaking tale

Daily Mail​

09-06-2025

An Escape To The Country host fought back tears as she 'got emotional on the show for the first time ever'.
Friday's instalment of the popular BBC show saw property expert Nicki Chapman help Steph, who was looking for a home in North Yorkshire.
Steph's husband had sadly passed away after a battle with Parkinson's and dementia and she hoped to achieve their goal of living in the picturesque countryside.
'The past years have been more about dying than living and I think it's time to start living again,' Steph, who was moving from Buckinghamshire, said.
Steph's best friend, Sue, also featured on the show and offered her support.
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'I want to go swimming in landscapes that inspire me to do my art. Be near places that I can go walking and running, maybe some wild water swimming and to do all the things that my husband and I planned to do,' she said.
With a budget of £420,000, Steph was looking for a semi-detached property with three bedrooms and enough room for an art studio.
During the instalment, Nicki showed Steph around several possible homes in different areas of North Yorkshire including South Otterington and Thornton-le-Dale.
At one point, while Steph was touring a property, Nicki spoke candidly and appeared to tear up.
'For the first time ever,' she said before emotionally covering her mouth.
'I'm getting quite emotional...
'I'll leave it,' Nicki added, before walking away from the camera.
In the end, Steph put an offer on the mystery property, which was accepted on the basis she sold her house in Buckinghamshire.
Another buyer on Escape To The Country burst into tears after 'falling in love' during a property viewing, before a baffling U-turn.
A previous instalment of the BBC house-hunting show saw Joey ask property expert Alistair Appleton for help.
Joey, who works in customer service for a major airline, hoped to find an idyllic countryside home in Wiltshire and move out of her small flat near Heathrow Airport as she approaches retirement.
She explained, 'I've decided I want to move onto pastures new. Have a bit of greenery in my life.'
Accompanied by her friend, Susan, during her search, Joey had a budget of £260,000 for a two-bedroom home with a garden and a two-hour commute from the airport.
When Alistair showed Joey the very first property, an hour and 35 minutes away from her workplace, she was immediately taken.
'Well straight away I really like it, it's a perfect size,' Joey gushed about the 19th Century cottage.
She commented on the 'perfect size' of the kitchen, but when she entered the living room which featured a characterful fireplace and wooden floors, Joey broke down in tears.
Susan explained: 'This is just what she's been imagining for years and years.'
Buyer Joey, left, on Escape To The Country burst into tears after 'falling in love' during a property viewing, before a baffling U-turn
Accompanied by her friend, Susan, right, during her search, Joey had a budget of £260,000 for a two bedroom home with a garden and a two hour commute from the airport
Joey agreed and added: 'It's so cosy isn't it, it's what I've been looking for. This is really really nice.'
'I just think this is Joey's dream,' Susan said.
Alistair revealed the asking price was £220,000, putting it £40,000 under budget.
Joey was overcome with emotion again and wiped away tears before continuing the tour.
However, even though Joey felt so strongly about the property, at the end of the episode she didn't make an offer and instead decided to continue searching.