Escape to the Country star left ‘burning and shaking’ after bizarre stunt derails property hunt
The BBC show took a detour away from helping prospective home owners find their countryside escape, and instead took a pair of hopeful buyers to try out chillies.
In the Escape to the Country episode, property hunters Ronnie and Claire explored Bedfordshire as they wanted to relocate away from Watford.
Exploring some of what their new area might have to offer, they took a break from looking at homes to visit the Love My Chillies farm and sample its crop.
Viewers of Escape to the Country watched as the chilli eating contest proved to be too hot to handle, with property expert Margherita Taylor left watching in surprise.
In the episode, Claire joked that her partner would enjoy trying out the range of chillies on offer as she said: “Ronnie will love it! It just scares me to look at it.”
The group continued trying out a variety of spice, until one left host Margherita tapping out as she said: “Speechless! Oh here, milk, milk!”
Ronnie continued eating his, but it was clear the effects were hitting him as Margherita asked: “Oh my goodness, are you shaking?!”
Even as the eating finished, Ronnie appeared to be struggling as he coughed and his face turned red.
Margherita, who hosted the episode, is a well known TV face and has previously presented T4 on Channel 4 and has gone on to appear on a range of ITV shows, including Good Morning Britain, Lorraine, and This Morning.
Margherita has also been involved in huge moments on-screen, having introduced then-Prince Charles at Party in the Park in 2004.
She was also known for her interview with former Prime Minister Tony Blair in Downing Street.
In 2022, the trailblazer received the high honour of being awarded an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) for services to broadcasting and diversity.
Escape to the Country fans were also left deeply moved in May, during a re-run episode of Escape to The Country when they realised Jonnie was presenting.
Jonnie served as a presenter on the BBC daytime programme from 2010 to 2023.
In November 2022, Jonnie revealed that he had terminal lung cancer after being diagnosed in 2020.
He sadly passed away in February at just 50 years old, however, he can still be seen on repeats of his programmes.
Escape to the Country airs on BBC One.
