BBC Escape to the Country fans fume 'waste of a licence fee' over celebrity episode

Escape To The Country aired a special celebrity version this evening (Image: BBC)

Escape To The Country fans were left seething after a celebrity special aired on the BBC.

Featuring Linford Christie and his daughter Briannah, the Olympic sprinter, accompanied by host Alistair Appleton, scoured Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire for a lavish family home, including a visit to Shiplake in Oxfordshire, seeking a property with ample space for entertaining both inside and out.

However, viewers were incensed by the celebrity twist and Christie's substantial budget. Disgruntled fans took to social media to vent their frustration, with one viewer commenting: "As if Escape to the Country wasn't bad enough with people's ridiculous budgets, BBC1 is now subjecting us to #celebrityescapetothecountry Obscene amounts of money whilst most normal folks are worried about putting their heating on. Get in the sea."

Another remarked: "£2 million budget. P*** off BBC, the regular rich ones with £750K+ are bad enough!" whilst a third shared: "Sorry, had to turn off tonight, what's a waste of taxpayers money. Hope Christie wasn't paid to appear in this, all so staged #escapetothecountry." A fourth penned: "The #BBC showing us how out of touch they are with the times with #escapetothecountry Rich celebs looking for £2 million 4 bedroom houses, all ensuite with swimming pools and cinema rooms. Nice to know where the poor people's #tvlicence fee goes."

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The houses were incredible! (Image: BBC)

However, another said they enjoyed the show, with one fan of the programme writing: "Watching #CelebrityEscapetotheCountry This is fun, Linford Christie is looking for a house in the country."

Big names like Ian 'H' Watkins of Steps fame, singing sensation Alfie Boe, and Anita Rani are among the celebrities seen eyeing properties in the show, alongside Kaye Adams and The Apprentice star Tim Campbell.

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Linford was joined by his daughter Briannah on the search (Image: BBC)

Julie Shaw, BBC Daytime Commissioner, said: "In this series, we get an insight into the celebrities, their careers and their families, essentially the journey they've been on from where they began long before the cameras and spotlights.

"We cover the UK, including the beautiful hills and valleys in the Vale of Glamorgan and Stirlingshire, helping people to escape from world-famous cities like Glasgow and London it's a magical tour around some of the UK's most beautiful homes."

*Celebrity Escape To The Country airs on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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