Nicki Chapman, the well-loved presenter of BBC’s Escape to the Country, was left utterly astonished in a recent episode of the show. The episode, which aired on Wednesday, saw her catch up with couple Darcie and Ian, who she had previously assisted in 2015.
The pair had previously sought to relocate from Cambridgeshire to their treasured holiday locale in the Peak District. After viewing several properties on the show, they ended up purchasing the first house they were introduced to in Derbyshire.
Nicki dropped by for a visit eight years later, checking in on their progress in 2023. Anticipating the changes made to their abode, she wasn’t disappointed.
Upon arriving, the alterations to the exterior were immediately noticeable, with the prior light blue window panels and door replaced by contemporary black fittings. However, it was the kitchen renovation that truly astounded Nicki, reports Wales Online.
Escape to the Country’s Nicki Chapman amazed over unrecognisable transformation
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Entering the revamped space, she exclaimed: “Now, I don’t recognise this at all! ” To which Darcie humorously responded: “Sometimes I barely recognise it.”
Investigating further, Nicki asked: “Wow, it’s huge! Was there a wall there?” After Darcie confirmed that they had demolished a small fourth bedroom to expand the kitchen, Nicki remained impressed by the transformation.
She commented: “What a transformation. Next time I’m going to do a kitchen up, I’m going to ask you for advice. I think what you’ve done here is tremendous.”
Darcie and Ian moved into their home in 2015, three months after their appearance on the BBC show
(Image: BBC)
However, they’d also put their own touch on the living area, as Nicki commended their personalisation of the space. Ian admitted that over the years, they had invested considerable effort into renovating the house.
Nicki remarked that the living room appeared more spacious than she recalled, to which Darcie explained that rearranging the furniture had created an illusion of a larger area.
They had also installed bespoke storage units on either side of the chimney breast, reducing the need for additional furnishings.
Nicki was blown away by the change the couple had made to the kitchen
(Image: BBC)
Having moved in just three months after their property hunt, Darcie was full of compliments for their new neighbourhood. She enthused: “We’ve been part of various different village activities.”
“We helped organise Hogfest for two summers. There’s been quite a transformation and an evolution as well.”
I Escape to the Country is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.