Viewers of Escape to the Country were left frustrated on Sunday evening (December 28) when the anticipated celebrity special failed to air on BBC One. Instead of the much-anticipated episode featuring sports legend Linford Christie, audiences were presented with a rerun of a regular episode originally broadcast in April 2022.
The repeat episode followed a couple searching for a dream home on the Dorset coast with a budget of £550,000. Their wishlist included three bedrooms, a workspace, a spacious kitchen, and proximity to a community offering countryside walks. Presenter Sonali Shah guided the house hunters through the process and explored the vital role local newspapers play in community life.
Confusion surrounded the episode’s scheduling as some TV listings correctly advertised the Dorset episode, while others promised the celebrity special that had aired a year earlier. Fans quickly took to social media to express their disappointment and confusion. One viewer commented, “They changed the celebrity Escape to the Country episode. It was with Lingford (sic) Christie.” Another called the repeat a “4-year-old programme repeat,” sarcastically lamenting “Sunday night entertainment at its best.”
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Others voiced their frustrations more bluntly. “Are you kidding me @BBC, am I really expected to watch an episode of Escape to the Country from 2021?? What the hell is going on?” one fan posted. Another asked, “@BBC Why is Linford Christie Escape to the Country not being shown?” while a third exclaimed, “This isn’t the advertised episode??? #escapetothecountry.”
Despite the mix-up, Escape to the Country continues to be available for viewers to stream on BBC iPlayer, offering a chance to catch up on episodes missed.