Television personality Janet Street Porter delivered a brutally honest verdict that left Escape To The Country presenter Alistair Appleton scrambling during Tuesday's celebrity episode of the popular BBC property show.
A Dream Home With Strict Criteria
The 78-year-old Loose Women star, who owns a London apartment, enlisted the programme's help to find a dream home in East Anglia to share with her husband, Peter. Joined by her friend, designer Christopher Woods, Janet laid out her non-negotiable requirements: absolute peace and quiet, significant distance from neighbours, and a clear view of the sea, all within a budget of £1 million.
Before the viewings began, host Alistair Appleton hinted to viewers that the search might not be straightforward, teasing: "I am going to let you in on a little secret. Just because the search starts here, doesn't mean that it is going to finish here." His words proved prophetic.
Two Properties, One Scathing Verdict
The trio first viewed a modern bungalow in the village of Levington, priced at £960,000, which failed to impress. They then visited a £895,000 beach house in the coastal village of Thorpeness. Although Janet liked this property more, her final assessment was merciless.
She bluntly told Alistair: "The bottom line is neither house offers me solitude. They offer me the sounds of the sea and seagulls, but I think you have failed." A flustered Appleton conceded the challenge, acknowledging the need for greater isolation and tentatively suggesting Scotland.
"Thrilled. Come up with something - there is your challenge," Janet responded, setting the stage for a dramatic shift in location.
The 500-Mile 'Leap of Faith' to Scotland
In a highly unusual move for the series, the production took a 500-mile "leap of faith" to the Hebridean islands off Scotland's west coast. The search reconvened on Islay in the Inner Hebrides.
The second property they viewed there, located near Port Ellen, was an immediate hit. "Oh wow," Janet exclaimed. "I could see myself in this house by myself, perfectly happy." She was even given the opportunity to stay in the home overnight, an offer she gladly accepted.
Viewer Reaction and Confusion
The drastic geographical pivot from East Anglia to Scotland left many fans watching at home bemused. One viewer commented on X: "#EscapetotheCountry Janet’s getting her holiday to Scotland courtesy of Escape. When has anyone on this program gone to two parts of the country so wide apart?"
Others, however, praised Janet's uncompromising approach. Fans appreciated her clarity, with one noting: "Janet Street Porter and I have similar requirements for the perfect house - no neighbours, views of the sea, peaceful and quiet... The big difference is that she has far more money than me!"
The episode followed another memorable celebrity search earlier in the week, which saw choirmaster Gareth Malone house-hunting with his mother instead of his wife, sparking similar confusion among the audience.
Escape To The Country airs on BBC One and is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
