Viewers of A Place in the Sun have been left heartbroken after learning that a guest on the show had died, with many calling it the 'saddest ending ever'. Presenter Jasmine Harman revealed the tragedy after filming the episode, which first aired in October last year. She had been showing couple Delroy and Jackie around Marbella, in the hopes of finding them their dream home. However, months before the episode aired, Delroy sadly died, with Jasmine sharing the news as the Channel 4 show credits rolled.
Couple's search for a dream home in Spain
The episode repeated on Tuesday, 13 October, and saw Jackie and Delroy talk about wanting to buy their first home together in a permanent move to Spain, after meeting just two years earlier. Looking back on their romance at the beginning of the episode, Jackie remarked: "We met and I think we knew fairly soon that there was something special." Delroy meanwhile joked: "Who else would you be with, I'm Prince Charming!"
They had a budget of £600,000, informing Jasmine they wanted to secure somewhere with three bedrooms, coastal views and their own swimming pool, reports the Mirror. Following their search, Jackie and Delroy disclosed to Jasmine that they'd chosen to submit an offer on one of the properties they'd viewed. "That's fantastic news," the presenter responded enthusiastically.
Offer and tragic news
The property was listed for under £691,000, though Jackie and Delroy aimed to secure a reduced price. They elaborated: "The house is very tired, it needs a lot of updating. There's no en-suite in the main bedroom, lots of flooring throughout the house to change, we have a kitchen to change, so we figure, about £605,000."
Jasmine responded: "That's over £85,000 off the asking price, which, as cash buyers, for a property of that level, you may stand a chance of getting something for £605,000." The presenter telephoned the vendor's agent, submitting the offer, while Delroy informed her: "There's only so much where I will go, with my developer head on, I know what needs to be done, so no way is my heart going to overrule my head."
Regrettably, however, their initial offer wasn't accepted, with Delroy and Jackie increasing to £625,000 and leaving that figure on the table. Following filming, it emerged that their second offer had been accepted, though Jasmine delivered the devastating news to viewers that Delroy had tragically died, mere months before the episode initially broadcast.
Viewers react to the sad ending
Once filming with the couple had concluded, she stated: "A couple of hours later, the agent called me back to say the vendor had decided to accept Jackie and Del's offer of £625,000. However, sadly Delroy became ill shortly after returning to the UK. And they had to put the move to Spain on hold. Tragically, he passed away in April 2025. We send our deepest sympathies to Jackie and all their family."
"What a sad ending," one viewer posted, as the repeat episode broadcast on Tuesday, 13 October. Another remarked: "Not expecting a heartbreaker today on #APlaceInTheSun." "Well that was an unexpected and sad ending," another agreed. Someone else added: "RIP Delroy."
Audiences also honoured Del following a post Jasmine had published after Delroy's passing. She'd written on Instagram last year: "Tonight's episode of A Place in the Sun was in remembrance of a very special person. I was so incredibly sad to hear the tragic news about Del's passing. My heart goes out to Jacqui and all of Del's loved ones. Jacqui you are so strong and he would be so proud of you. It's another reminder; we never know what is around the corner. Live life to the full and cherish moments with your loved ones. RIP Del Delroy Alphonso Burke 17/10/1965 - 09/04/2025."
After viewing the repeated episode, numerous viewers rushed to the comments section. One posted: "This was the saddest ending ever RIP big fella x." Another remarked: "So sorry to hear that Del passed and that you didn't get to live your lives in the sun. RIP Del." Someone else added: "Just watched this, very sorry to hear this, he looked so well in the show." Yet another observed: "Just watched the episode (a year later) and wasn't sure I heard it correctly at the end but unfortunately i did! RIP Del!" A Place in the Sun is available to watch on Channel 4.
