BBC Escape to the Country tragedies including star's untimely death

For more than two decades, Escape to the Country has been a staple of daytime television. The long-running BBC series has helped countless house-hunters swap urban stress for rural calm, while giving viewers a comforting mix of property dreams and rolling countryside.

But away from the cosy on-screen image, several devastating stories have been linked to the programme. From the tragic death of much-loved presenter Jonnie Irwin to the heartbreaking struggles of former participants, Escape to the Country has witnessed more than its share of sadness.

Jonnie Irwin's passing

In February 2024, the television world mourned the death of Jonnie Irwin, who had become a familiar face on both Escape to the Country and Channel 4's A Place in the Sun. He was just 50 years old.

Irwin's cancer diagnosis was first made public in 2022, though he had been living with the disease since 2020. It began with blurred vision while filming in Italy, which led to the shocking discovery that lung cancer had spread to his brain. Doctors initially gave him six months to live, but he defied expectations and fought on for three and a half years.

The news of his passing was confirmed in a statement shared on his Instagram account: "It is with heavy hearts that we share the news of Jonnie's passing. A truly remarkable soul, he fought bravely against cancer with unwavering strength and courage."

Tributes poured in. Jasmine Harman, his co-presenter on A Place in the Sun for nearly two decades, called him "the life and soul" of their partnership. Fellow Escape to the Country hosts Nicki Chapman and Jules Hudson described him as "heartbroken" and "life and soul of the family" respectively, while the BBC praised him as "an extraordinary man and wonderful presenter".

Yet behind the warmth of those tributes was the reality of a career cut short. Irwin revealed he had been quietly dropped from A Place in the Sun when he disclosed his diagnosis, leaving him devastated. "To have that purpose taken away was crushing," he told The Sun. "I can't even watch the show now."

Away from the cameras, Irwin focused on his wife Jessica and their three sons, Rex, Rafa and Cormac. He recorded family videos to ensure his children would remember him.

Tragic case of Emma Izzard

Another Escape to the Country figure whose story ended in heartbreak was 53-year-old Emma Izzard, who appeared on the show in 2021 with her then-partner Kym Lofthouse.

Emma's journey was meant to mark a new chapter. She and Kym had been searching for a dream rural home and featured on the BBC programme during their property hunt. But in July 2025, a coroner's inquest revealed the devastating truth behind her untimely death.

Emma had suffered from alcoholism following the breakdown of her relationship with Kym. Her struggles were compounded by family tragedies: her father had died when she was still a teenager, and her mother, who suffered from mental health problems, passed away shortly before Emma's own decline.

By late 2024, Emma's health had deteriorated severely. She was rushed to hospital in November after "vomiting blood" and died the following day while undergoing investigations. The official cause of death was ruled as alcohol-related liver disease, following a variceal bleed and cardiac arrest.

At the inquest, Kym explained how Emma had tried to fight her addiction: "After six months of secret drinking, she wanted to stop but couldn't get the help quickly enough. She went to rehab on several occasions but relapsed each time. Emma did not want to drink, but it had taken a strong hold of her."

Bev's loss, grief, and a search for a new start

In March 2024, viewers met Bev from Hampshire, who arrived on the show with her loyal dog Indie. Her life had been turned upside down when her husband died unexpectedly, leaving her forced to sell their home and live in a campervan.

On the programme, Bev revealed: "This is where I currently live, in my campervan. I sold my house in February so I'm now looking for somewhere else to go. My husband and I always wanted to have a nice place to move on to as our forever home but unfortunately he died last year, so now it's just me and Indie."

Her property search in Carmarthenshire was as much about healing as it was about finding a place. With her son Joe and presenter Ginny Buckley by her side, Bev toured three houses before settling on a charming Victorian cottage with land.

Kathy's search for a new life after devastating loss

In December 2024, Escape to the Country featured one of its most poignant episodes, filmed in the shadow of personal tragedy. Viewers met Kathy from Hampshire, who was joined by her son Connor and presenter Briony May Williams as she searched for a rural home that could offer her a fresh start.

Kathy had once lived in a large six-bedroom house with her husband David and their five sons. But after her children grew up and moved out, and following the heartbreaking loss of her husband three years earlier, the house felt overwhelmingly empty. With only her dog Betsy for company, she admitted to feeling adrift.

"My lifestyle now is basically, I'm just treading water. I don't feel like I got a purpose anymore, so I need something to get me up and going, I need something that's going to keep me focused again," Kathy explained on the programme. "I want a new lease of life, a whole new life."

Longing for the countryside she had loved since childhood, Kathy set her sights on Dorset's coastline, a place tied to happy family holidays. With a healthy budget of £925,000 and hopes of running a holiday let business, she viewed four stunning properties during filming, but ended up not choosing any of them.

Kathy reflected about how her husband would be supportive of her new journey: "He'd be shoving me, he'd be really pleased for me that I'm finally moving forward and starting to live again and get out there and enjoying life."