Escape to the Country star Nicki Chapman was left gobsmacked during the latest instalment of the BBC show. During Wednesday’s episode, viewers saw the property expert reunite with Darcie and Ian.
The duo first appeared on the show back in 2015 where they wanted to make the move from their home in Cambridgeshire to their favourite holiday spot, the Peak District.
After being shown a series of houses, the pair ended up buying the first property they were shown in Derbyshire. With Nicki visiting the duo eight years later, when they caught up in 2023, the BBC star was eager to see what changes they’d made to the home.
From the outside, a visible change could be seen as they had swapped out the light blue window panels and door for sleek, modern black ones. However, it was the kitchen which blew Nicki away.
Escape to the Country host speechless over ‘unrecognisable’ change to property -Credit:BBC
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Walking into the room, she commented: “Now, I don’t recognise this at all!” Laughing, Darcie replied: “Sometimes I barely recognise it.”
Nicki added: “Wow, it’s huge! Was there a wall there?” Realising the space seemed larger than before, Darcie explained there was once a small fourth bedroom they knocked out.
Still in awe over how they’d changed the space, the BBC star continued: “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 -Credit:BBC
However, they’d also changed the living area as Nicki praised their personal stamp on the room. Ian confessed they’d done a lot of work on the house over the years.
As Nicki explained the living room looked bigger than she remembered, Darcie shared they moved the furniture around to make it seem larger. They also had storage cabinets built either side of the chimney breast so they didn’t need as much furniture.
Nicki was blown away by the change the couple had made to the kitchen -Credit:BBC
Moving in three months after their search, Darcie had nothing but praise about the area they relocated to. She said: “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