Escape to the Country property search comes to abrupt halt as star says ‘forget it’
Escape to the Country guest Anita Rani ended her property search just minutes in when she noticed one key detail.
The popular BBC show returned to our screens with a celebrity special on Friday (December 27) night, and expert Alistair Appleton went all out to help Anita find her dream country home.
The broadcaster and author is no stranger to rural life, having presented Countryfile for almost 10 years. She's now looking to swap east London for a quiet life in the Kent and Sussex coastlines. On hand to also help her was interior designer friend Shaun Clarkson, who knows the area well.
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Anita had a budget of £875,000 for a quirky two-bedroom property with an interesting and inspiring view that would help her write.
It was also important that there was plenty of room to host her friends and family. She was open to tackling a project, but the home needed to be within 90 minutes of London.
Alistair set up several property viewings; however, he had a major task on his hands, as Anita later admitted: “The truth is I don’t really know what I want yet, so I’m probably quite a difficult brief for Alistair.”
Just minutes into viewing one home in the East Sussex town of Hastings, it was clear that the property might not work for the star.
The two-bedroom early 19000s detached cottage was on the market for £50 shy of £600,000 and came with an open plan kitchen/dinner area.
At first, things were off to a good start as they walked into the conservation area, which was directly in front of a popular walking path,
Anita started off by saying: "Look at that. That’s what I’m talking about, that’s spectacular.” Pointing at the view, she continued: “It’s all about that, Alistair. This is gorgeous. I get to watch the seasons, and I get to see the trees.”
However, things took a turn when Anita spotted a local walk past and said, “Oh, hello. Oh, there you go, there is a man walking past.”
Shaun joked: “So you couldn't be in here naked.” Anita playfully called off the search as she: added: “Damn it, it’s off, forget it.”
In the end, Anita decided not to put an offer on any of the properties she viewed, so the search for her dream home continued.
Escape to the Country airs weekdays on BBC One and iPlayer
