Escape to the Country buyer left ‘burning and shaking’ as property hunt derailed by bizarre stunt – leaving host ‘speechless’

An Escape to the Country buyer was left “burning and shaking” in Wednesday’s episode after this week’s house hunt was disrupted by a bizarre stunt.

This popular BBC series follows people who want to escape the busy city life and seek a quiet life in the countryside.

Although the search for a home is central to the series, each episode includes a short segment in which the presenter shows buyers a cultural activity or attraction in the area.

This week’s house hunters, Ronnie and Claire, wanted to move from their home in Watford to Bedfordshire with the help of expert Margherita Taylor.

Taking a break from house viewing, they headed to the nearby Love My Chillies vegetable farm, giving the couple a chance to see what the area had to offer.

This week’s house hunters, Ronnie and Claire, wanted to move from their home in Watford to Bedfordshire with the help of expert Margherita Taylor (pictured)

Speaking to owner Salvatore Genovese, he gave the couple a few samples, including a chili pepper called Armageddon. A glass of milk was waiting.

Claire laughed and said, “Ronnie will love it! It just scares me when I look at it.”

They tried different ways: they got more and more in heat and Claire gave up after a few times, while Ronnie continued to eat them.

When she took a bite, it was clear that the spiciness was too much, because Margherita said, “Speechless! Oh, here, milk, milk!”

Claire continued to laugh as Ronnie took a big sip of milk to soften the spicy taste.

The BBC presenter added: ‘Oh my god, are you shaking?!’

As Salvatore wished the couple luck with their house hunt, Ronnie let out another huge cough, struggling to process the spicy taste.

This comes after Escape to the Country fans were left emotional in June when an old episode presented by the late Jonnie Irwin aired, months after his tragic death.

They took a break from looking at houses to visit the nearby Love My Chillies farm, where they grow the crop, so the couple could see what the area has to offer

Talking to owner Salvatore Genovese, he gave the couple some samples, including a chili pepper called Armageddon, while a glass of milk was waiting

When she took a bite, it was clear that the spiciness was too much, because Margherita said, “Speechless! Oh, here, milk, milk!”

The presenter died in February at the age of 50, three years after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of lung cancer in 2020.

He went away behind his wife Jessica Holmes and their young sons Rex, four, and two-year-old twins Rafa and Cormac.

In June, the BBC aired a repeat of a 2022 episode set in North Yorkshire, in which Jonnie helped Ian find a new home for £350,000 after he moved back to the UK from Hong Kong.

But the episode also had a melancholic edge, as it was one of the last episodes to feature Jonnie before he passed away.

Viewers couldn’t help but be distracted by the sad memory and took to social media to express their gratitude to the presenter, praising him for his presentation skills and optimism.

They wrote: ‘Hearing Jonnie Irwin’s distinctive voice on #EscapeToTheCountry. He fought his cancer battle with dignity and without drawing attention. God bless you, you were a brilliant presenter.’

‘Episode of Escape to the Country with #JonnieIrwin is now airing on Tuesday 11th June. Great to see Jonnie still had his cheeky sense of humour; Johnnie Irwin episode today, RIP #escapetothecountry’.

‘So sad to turn on the TV and hear Jonnie Irwin’s voice talking about having three children in diapers; Great to see one of the #JonnieIrwin episodes on #EscapeToTheCountry now BBC ONE. What a top man and presenter he was.’

Claire continued to laugh as Ronnie took a big sip of the standby milk to soothe the spicy sensation

As Salvatore wished the couple luck with their house hunt, Ronnie let out another massive cough as he struggled to process the spicy taste.