A couple who found their dream home on the BBC show Escape to the Country have been left devastated after the husband was diagnosed with terminal cancer just one day after moving in. John Burkinshaw, 56, and his wife Liz, from Warwickshire, fell in love with a 'mystery house' in Argyll and Bute, Scotland, offered by host Sonali Shaw. Despite a budget of £340,000, they secured the bungalow with stunning views for around £270,000.
The Burkinshaws exchanged contracts in November 2022 and planned to retire to Scotland the following year after their two daughters finished university. However, upon moving into their new home in November 2023, John was in severe pain and was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer. He underwent surgery but was told it was stage four and incurable. He died just over a year later, leaving his family heartbroken.
Speaking after the episode aired, Liz said she wanted to raise awareness of the disease. She recalled that John had been experiencing symptoms for months but was not registered with a local GP when they moved. After calling 111, he was seen by a doctor and sent straight to hospital. The diagnosis came as a shock as John had been 'fit and healthy' before the move.
Liz described the year after the diagnosis as a 'countdown', with John undergoing chemotherapy but ultimately passing away in November 2024. She now hopes their story will encourage others to seek medical advice promptly if they notice unusual symptoms.
