Escape to the Country star shares update as late Jonnie | UK News

Escape to the Country’s Denise Nurse shared a poignant update in a current episode, revealing a bittersweet flip of occasions for a couple who had beforehand sought their dream home.

On Thursday’s episode (January 9), viewers tuned in as Denise took them back to North Wales, revisiting Angela, who, alongside along with her late husband Neil, had been featured on the show in search of a new life to mark their silver wedding ceremony anniversary. At the time, the pair had been guided by the now late Jonnie Irwin, and the couple finally discovered pleasure in North Wales, regardless of initial setbacks.

Five years after their featured hunt, Angela opened up about their new begin and the reminiscences they cherished earlier than tragedy struck. Denise solemnly knowledgeable viewers: “A lot can happen in five years. Angela and Neil did move to North Wales, and they fulfilled their long-held dream of living together in this beautiful part of the world. Very sadly, though, Neil passed away 18 months ago.”

Recalling the pleasure they discovered of their new environment, Angela reminisced about their speedy connection to the space. She fondly remembered, “We were comfortable here right from the start, and when we went out, we looked around the town, and we saw things like the beautiful riverside walk, and we thought, ‘Oh, this is lovely.'”

Denise revealed Neil’s ‘true’ ardour during their adventures in a current episode, saying, “Of course, with Neil and the railway, he was in his element,” reviews Wales Online.

She then expressed her delight over their shared experiences in Wales, including: “I’m so glad that you got to experience this house together and get to know living in Wales as a couple.”

Angela could not maintain back her feelings when discussing Neil’s passing, admitting, “It was awful. Even whether to have tea or coffee suddenly became this huge decision, and it was so difficult.”

Life with out Neil prompted Angela to make a change: “And that’s when I decided to get a dog because I wasn’t leaving the house, and I knew that wasn’t good for me. I wasn’t really seeing anyone, that’s when I got Teddy.”

The addition of her canine companion had a warming influence on her life: “Well, I’ve certainly met a lot of people since getting him! I waited 70 years to get a dog, never had one before, I always had cats, so it was a bit of a culture shock.”

The programme was tinged with each pleasure and sorrow, particularly as it paid tribute to the late Jonnie Irwin. The beloved presenter died at simply 50, three years after his 2020 analysis of an aggressive type of lung most cancers.

Emotions had been high amongst these watching at home, prompting an outpouring of tributes on social media. One touched viewer posted on X, now recognized as Twitter, “Awww, lovely Johnnie Irwin. #EscapeToTheCountry #IEscapedToTheCountry.”

And one other viewer mirrored, “Oh my goodness #iescapedtothecountry is sad today. RIP Neil.”

Escape to the Country airs weekdays from 3pm on BBC One and iPlayer