Escape to the Country viewers were enraged by Monday’s episode of the show, and have accused the BBC of ‘ramming wealth down their throats’ after seeing one couple’s staggering budget.
During the latest instalment of the property show, Jules Hudson helped retired nurse Fiona and finance expert Nigel search for their dream home in Suffolk. The couple had ambitious plans to run a dog-friendly holiday let and were prepared to spend big to make it happen. Jules introduced the pair by talking about their love of animals, which includes both their own and other peoples’. He added: “As part of their move from the Berkshire town of Maidenhead to the Suffolk countryside, they plan to expand their canine hospitality with dog-friendly holiday lets.”
However, it wasn’t their passion for pooches that caught the attention of viewers, but their eye-watering budget. The couple had an impressive £1.5 million at their disposal, which Jules described as a “very substantial” amount for their property search.
Their wish list was equally ambitious, and the couple had no qualms about admitting they hoped to find a spacious home in a peaceful area with at least four bedrooms, a separate holiday let, a large hobby room for Nigel’s model-building passion, and a dog-friendly garden.
They also told Jules that they did not want to have to do any renovations on their new property. Some viewers felt disillusioned after seeing the couple’s massive budget, and complained that it made them feel bad about their own finances.
One hit out: “£1.5 million budget, flipping heck! This type of money is triggering my midlife crisis that I’ve not achieved enough.” Meanwhile, another fumed: “What a stupid programme, a £1.5m house is more than the vast majority of the UK population could dream to have. Yet the BBC just love to ram this down our throats!”
A third joined in, sarcastically writing: “Mmm… only £1.5m to spend… no wonder they need ETTC to help them… I mean there must be oodles of houses to check out online… anyhow, a good chance to look at what I can’t afford… Happy Days.”
Unaware of the backlash, Fiona and Nigel happily focused on their property hunt, and showed particular interest in the third house they were shown. However, in a surprising twist, they decided to purchase a completely different property that was located near one of the options they shortlisted.
By contrast, another couple on the BBC show were recently moved to tears of gratitude when they discovered a property they loved the look of was below their budget.
Phil and Andrea were taken around Perthshire by Sonali Shah, who was determined to find them a new home with a price tag of £425,000 or less. After being shown two places they were unhappy with, Andrea broke down in tears after hearing it would only cost £299,500 to purchase the one property they really did love.
Escape to the Country airs Mondays-Fridays at 3pm on BBC One
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