Escape to the Country has been a mainstay of BBC programming since its debut in 2002. However, for many viewers at home, the behind-the-scenes workings of the show remain somewhat of an enigma.
As prospective buyers search for their ideal rural retreat – aided by presenters including Jules Hudson, Nicki Chapman and Alistair Appleton – audiences get to see the highs and lows of their journey. But according to a Reddit user whose parents appeared on the programme, the reality of the show is quite different.
User abricorn shared on the platform: “My parents were on Escape to the Country a few years back… weird, I know. I’m not sure about meals and accommodation but it seemed like they didn’t spend a whole lot of time with the host other than what was on screen.”
Revealing further insights, abricorn explained that participants are subject to certain restrictions – including a ban on searching for properties in the selected area for several months before filming. They continued: “I know they ban you from looking at houses in the area for 3-6 months before appearing on the show so you look genuinely surprised when you turn up (I can’t imagine they would actually enforce that, though).”
The user also mentioned that their parents were prohibited from browsing properties on Rightmove, although this might have been a convenient excuse to avoid house hunting altogether, reports the Express.
According to abricorn, their parents had a significant amount of free time during filming, which they spent exploring the local areas. “When I watched it back it looked to me like they’d been fed lines to say but apparently they hadn’t and felt really comfortable with the crew.”
The anecdote continued: “My parents actually tried to buy one of the houses they saw on the show but got gazumped (I can’t remember whether it was after it was shown on TV or not) – and ended up buying a similar house in a nearby village.
“They seemed to really enjoy it – I just found it odd how close together they were made to sit in our house for the questions at the beginning of the show in a place in the room where you’d never put chairs. For lighting etc, I’m sure – but they just looked so unnatural and now I just can’t un-see it when I watch any of those shows.”
The Redditor added that shots of their parents doing “hobbies” at home were “odd to watch”, as they were asked to casually perform them on camera.