During Thursday’s (January 9) heart-wrenching episode of BBC’s Escape to the Country, host Denise Nurse shared some sad news with fans just minutes into the show.
In a moving segment, Denise returned to North Wales to check in on Angela, whom we’d previously seen house-hunting alongside her husband Neil with guidance from the late Jonnie Irwin.
At that time, the couple sought the perfect home to celebrate retiring from their careers as engineers and teachers and their silver wedding anniversary.
Though the three homes originally shown by Jonnie didn’t work out, the couple eventually settled on their dream abode. Now, five years on, Denise revisited to see how Angela was doing, only to reveal the tragic update that Neil had died a year and a half after they found their haven.
To viewers at home, Denise solemnly disclosed: “A lot can happen in five years. Angela and Neil did move to North Wales, and they fulfilled their long-held dream of living together in this beautiful part of the world. Very sadly though, Neil passed away 18 months ago.”
Reflecting on the cherished moments they spent together there, Angela nostalgically recounted: “We were comfortable here right from the start, and when we went out, we looked around the town, and we saw things like the beautiful riverside walk, and we thought, ‘Oh, this is lovely,'” reports Wales Online.
The show was awash with emotion as Denise opened heart, saying: “Of course, with Neil and the railway, he was in his element.”
She fondly reflected: “I’m so glad that you got to experience this house together and get to know living in Wales as a couple.”
Angela couldn’t hold back the tears when she shared her grief over Neil’s passing: “It was awful. Even whether to have tea or coffee suddenly became this huge decision, and it was so difficult.
“And that’s when I decided to get a dog because I wasn’t leaving the house, and I knew that wasn’t good for me. I wasn’t really seeing anyone, that’s when I got Teddy.”
Reflecting on her new furry friend, she noted: “Well, I’ve certainly met a lot of people since getting him! I waited 70 years to get a dog, never had one before, I always had cats, so it was a bit of a culture shock.”
Fans also reminisced about the late Jonnie Irwin during the episode; the beloved host died at just 50 years old in February following a harrowing three-year battle with aggressive lung cancer.
Social media was abuzz with viewers’ heartfelt responses, with one touching tribute spotted on the platform formerly known as Twitter saying: “Awww, lovely Jonnie Irwin. #EscapeToTheCountry #IEscapedToTheCountry.”
While another lamented: “Oh my goodness #iescapedtothecountry is sad today. RIP Neil.”
Escape to the Country is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
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