We went on A New Life In The Sun – our house STILL isn't finished one year on rage devastated couple
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window)
Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
ONE couple from A New Life In The Sun wanted to build a dream house for one of their parents, but it still did not go to plan.
On the Channel 4 show, singers Ellie and Gary from Nottingham bought a huge guesthouse.
Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter
Sign up
7
Ellie and Gary from Nottingham left Blighty for a new life in Bulgaria
Credit: Channel 4
7
They wanted to build a bungalow next door to their huge guest house for Ellie's mum Linda
Credit: Channel 4
7
She was forced to live with the couple for a year whilst they got things in order
Credit: Channel 4
The 10-bedroom property in Central Bulgaria cost them just £13,000, and it even came with a swimming pool.
After work dried up, the couple moved lock stock and barrel to Europe with their daughter Millie.
Initially, things on A New Life in the Sun: Where Are They Now?, went well for the couple.
The pair managed to get their huge home up to scratch ready to welcome guests for a bed and breakfast escape.
However, they bought the empty plot of land next door as they planned to build a state-of-the-art bungalow for Ellie's mum Linda.
Although work started on the new home, it soon came to a standstill as the couple engaged in a battle with the local authorities.
They were left frustrated by all the bureaucracy as they didn't get the correct planning permission on the A Place In The Sun spin-off.
Ellie said: "We've been focusing on the planning for mum's house, which it finally came through."
While Gary admitted: "Yep, it didn't go according to plan like we knew it would and it was all paperwork."
They thought the job would only take a few months, but they were wrangling with the system for over a year.
A Place In The Sun's Laura Hamilton on her surprising secret to losing a stone and why she laughs off people thinking she has fake boobs
Linda was then forced to live with the couple for over a year as they built the second dream home.
The duo were left fuming about the progress of the home as they showed the camera their bulging file of documents.
Ellie explained: "That's the building visa that says we could build. But then you've got documents.
"First we had to get documents from the electric company saying they'll supply electric, then we had to get another document saying they'll do the work, and then another one when it's signed off."
A Place in the Sun presenters - past and present
CURRENT PRESENTERS
Ben Hillman
Craig Rowe
Jasmine Harman
Jean Johansson
Laura Hamilton
Leah Charles-King
Lee Juggurnauth
Lucy Alexander
Sara Damergi
PAST PRESENTERS
Adrian Simpson
Danni Menzies
Jonnie Irwin
Luke Doonan
Scarlette Douglas
Gary was clearly even more frustrated having to live with his mother-in-law as he remarked: "It's crackers".
Glaring down at the pages of documents in front of him, he added: "Look at it! Everything gets stamped [and] signed.
"There must be 50 different things!"
When progress resumed, Linda wasn't ready to move into the house for another few months.
When she eventually moved out of the guesthouse, nothing was straightforward in the bungalow as it had no running water.
In order to fill up the kettle to make tea, Linda would have had to improvise by using the exterior hosepipe.
7
The pair were left raging over their bulging file of repetitive paperwork
Credit: Channel 4
7
For eight months, work reached a standstill as they didn't get the correct planning permissions
Credit: Channel 4
7
Even when the house was built there was still a lack of basic features
Credit: Channel 4
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scotsman
3 hours ago
- Scotsman
Paul Hollywood on his Scottish links and being a secret savoury fan
Haarala Hamilton The baker has a new book out Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Paul Hollywood used to be a bit scary. He was usually the bad cop on The Great British Bake Off, with Mary Berry or Prue Leith as the goodie. These days, he's softened, like butter at room temperature. To match the bonhomie that we've seen on that ever popular Channel 4 programme, which was recently recommissioned for a sixteenth series, he's also released an equally cheery new read. Celebrate: Joyful Baking All Year Round is his fifteenth book. It features colourful, seasonal, fun and indulgent baking, and, in the introduction, describes this art as a 'hug'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The book's recipes include sprinkletti cake, pear bakewell tart and a lush chocolate fudge cake. The cover features Hollywood, 59, wearing a pink shirt, with a big grin on his face as he sprinkles a final magic ingredient onto a two storey and very showstopping 'drip cake' that's groaning with a cornucopia of fruit. 'I think keeping it bright and light, entertaining, and happy, that's what the book's all about,' he says. 'When you're baking at home anyway, it's a special thing for you to do, and then for the other people to receive it as well and enjoy it'. He's definitely entering his positive era. Perhaps that's because he's hitting 60 next year. It's a number that definitely doesn't bother him. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I don't really care about my age. I've been going gray since I was 16. I'm now more salt than I am pepper,' says. Hollywood, who is often described as a 'silver fox'. It is strange to think he's been on The Great British Bake Off for such a large chunk of his life. When they started filming, he was in his mid-fourties. However, all these years later, he still loves it, despite the very long working days. 'It's not like work, because it's such a lovely atmosphere. The crew goes back 16 years, so we're very much a tight unit, and there's such a great atmosphere in there,' he says. 'You've got the bubbly, effervescent Alison Hammond, and then you've got Noel, who's like a brother to me, and I love Prue. So there's this lovely blend of people. And of course, the bakers change every year, and they're just fascinating. I love getting to know them over the period of time we're together'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad I've also noticed that, these days, he seems to dole out more of his signature approving handshakes than he used to, while he's judging. However, he insists that that's down to the contestants. He hasn't become easier to please. 'That's probably because of the quality. It's got better because if you look at the baking last year, and then the baking from series one, it's a totally different game,' says Hollywood. 'That's why more handshakes are happening because they are better bakers. They just create things that are much more professional'. Hollywood's own baking, and the recipes in the book, are very much influenced by his travels. When he's away from home, he loves 'sticking his nose' into a good bakery and having a look around. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'I've traveled a lot in my career and I've been to cities around the world, from St Petersburg to Miami to San Francisco down to Cape Town and everywhere in between,' he says. 'And that's where a lot of the ideas come from, for the Bake Off challenges as well, but also for the book and how to develop flavours'. The book mentions international bakes including the Japanese milk bread, shokupan. 'I was there for about three or four weeks, actually,' Hollywood says. 'I use the yudane method, which is all about infusing the flour with the boiling water, and it creates a very soft, light bread. And for toast, it's just delicious'. Although Hollywood loves to travel abroad, he also feels a deep connection to home, and especially Scotland. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad He found out more about his Celtic background after appearing on an episode of BBC genealogy programme Who Do You Think You Are? back in 2015. They covered the fact that his great-great-grandfather was in the City of Glasgow police force in the late Nineteenth century, and they unearthed other links to that MacKenzie side of his family. 'Before we started filming the program, they said to me, where do you feel more at home? And I said, remote mountain streams, and feeling small in amazing scenery, and I ended up being taken to Gairloch and Poolewe, where my family were from, where we had the croft,' he says. 'I was sitting on this little rock, looking out and they said, do you remember what you said and played it back. And I went, oh my God, this is it? This is the place. You end up going back to a place where your ancestors are from where you feel more comfortable. And I was shocked, absolutely shocked'. Apparently, the Edinburgh-based fashion designer, Siobhan Mackenzie, saw him on the programme, and gifted him a kilt in his family tartan. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Hollywood also likes a Scottish bake or two, though there aren't any in the new book. 'I do like Dundee cake and it's something I've added to books in the past. Anything with cranachan I've used as well. We've used that in Eton messes, with whisky, which works beautifully,' says Hollywood. 'There is also a meat pie in my new book, which is related to football matches. Now that is quite a Scottish thing'. He loves pie. That, and quiche, pizza or sausage rolls. He's actually more of a savoury fan, than a sweet one. 'Weirdly, because of my job,' he says. Still, baking isn't about scoffing it all yourself. As the new book says, it's about 'making something for someone else to show them you care'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad So, is Hollywood happy to bake on demand, if a pal should ask? 'I've been dropped in it a couple of times, with a couple of hours to go,' he says. 'If I can't make a cake, I end up doing something like a meringue, with fruits, then spinning white chocolate over it. And I think, that'll do'. We'd happily take that, as Paul Hollywood's edible version of a hug.
Daily Mail
3 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Controversial Channel 4 show that left viewers 'shocked and uncomfortable' is set to 'return for second series'
It's the series that gripped the nation after Channel 4 sent 12 virgins, aged between 22 and 30, to an island off Croatia in a bid to have sexual relationships. With expert coaching from therapists and intimacy experts, the concluding episode last week saw Dave successfully lose his virginity in dramatic scenes that left fans floored. And now The Sun has revealed that the series will be returning for a second season. According to the publication Channel 4 have already begun casting for a new set of virgins ready to work towards sexual intimacy with the help of sexperts Danielle Harel and Celeste Hirschman. The show has since become the channel's most streamed new format since 2023 and is most popular with the target 16-34 age group. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the DailyMail's new Showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. The show saw 12 virgins, aged between 22 and 30, being sent to an island off Croatia in a bid to have sexual relationships with the help of sexperts A source told the publication: 'Virgin Island had a big buzz about it as something which really pushed the boundaries. 'In a market filled with somewhat predictable dating shows, it broke the mould and still had that Channel 4 experimental heart to it. 'So everyone was thrilled when the ratings seemed to back the broadcaster's punt. It felt like a no-brainer to consider a second series.' Mailonline have contacted Channel 4 representatives for comment. During the final episode of the six part series, accountant Dave, 24, could be heard moaning and groaning as he finally lost his virginity with surrogate partner Kat Slade. However, fans of the controversial programme branded the scenes 'uncomfortable' as they struggled to watch the moment Dave finally lost his virginity. After their session together, Kat explained: 'I feel good about being the person with him at that important moment.' In the end, Dave was the only contestant on Virgin Island who had sex, and many noted that it was still bewildering to see such an intimate moment play out on screen. Those watching at home were delighted for Dave, but were surprised to see such an intimate moment play out on screen. Sharing their thoughts, viewers said: 'Probably the most uncomfortable viewing. Only lasted 20mins and had to turn it off, felt like I was watching a love cult in action. 'Virgin Island is a hideous concept for a TV show. Why would you agree to go on it, to get exploited, even if you're getting paid!?' 'Losing your virginity should be a special thing, something you remember all your life, this is just degrading these virgins and something they'll want to forget and regret in years to come...' 'Virgin Island isn't actually that bad but I still can't get my head around an actual sex surrogate that then ultimately has sex with the client. It baffles me.' 'Well guys, that's the end of #VirginIsland, it's been... weird'; 'That Virgin Island is one disgustingly difficult watch man Jesus Christ'; 'Is anyone else watching Virgin Island on Channel 4? I find it so bizarre everyone is so vulnerable and it's just a bit strange..' The therapists on the show have since defended their work to MailOnline after it drew widespread controversy online and explained that the show gives viewers a realistic idea of what intimacy is. During the show, all of the 12 virgins achieve a level of intimacy with either a surrogate or a coach during the course, but only one of the virgins actually goes all the way with a surrogate partner. Sexologist Celeste Hirschman describes the relationship between the client and surrogate as 'authentic' and shared how the dynamic can reflect what would happen in a 'real relationships', including the possibility of 'performance problems' from either the surrogate or client. Celeste continued: 'It is really an authentic relationship. So one thing that can happen in a relationship is that someone has performance problems, and so they would just communicate about it and say, oh, you know, something's not working here. Let's take a break. Let's try again.' The sexologist added: 'That authenticity is what actually prepares people to have real relationships out in the world. 'So it's not just like trying to force something and a lot of times surrogates do work with people who have pretty significant dysfunctions, and so they need to work with those kinds of things, both in their clients and if it comes up in themselves as well.' There's a 'triadic relationship' between the client, surrogate and a separate therapist to help tackle issues, including if the client develops feelings.
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Hollyoaks Freddie Roscoe star breaks silence on exit with message to bosses
Hollyoaks favourite Freddie Roscoe's final scenes have aired and fans of the Channel 4 soap have been left heartbroken as Charlie Clapham shares sad announcement Charlie Clapham has bid farewell to Hollyoaks once again. The 33-year-old actor returned to the Channel 4 soap as Freddie Roscoe in 2024 after seven years in a huge twist fans didn't see coming. His comeback sparked a frenzy amongst avid viewers but it looks like Freddie has once again left the fictional village for pastures new. During Wednesday's (June 4) intense episode, Warren Fox (Jamie Lomas) returned to the village and got his revenge on love rival Freddie after learning he never gave his letter to Mercedes McQueen (Jennifer Metcalfe). Freddie got a shock when Warren cornered him in the garage with a gun, having evaded prison because of his "friends in high places". Threatening his daughter Lexi Roscoe (Marnie Fletcher) if he didn't comply, Warren demanded that Freddie writes a suicide note, remarking that everyone in his life would be better off without him. Freddie did as he was told and penned a goodbye letter to Mercedes and she was devastated to read about her partner's supposed death. Taking to Instagram, Charlie shared with fans: "What a ride. This isn't goodbye @hollyoaksofficial just a see you soon..., or maybe not, who knows!? Thank you for your kindess. Ciao 4 now." #onemoreepisode #bringlatersback #nohatersjustlaters. His hashtags are reference to Hollyoaks Later, a spin-off show which aired in a late-night time slot between 2008 and 2002 and delved deeper into the lives, loves and misdemeanours of some of the Hollyoaks characters and offered raunchier storylines and events than its parent programme which airs earlier in the day. Charlie has been unsurprisingly inundated with support from fans since his social media post confirming his final scenes have aired. One fan penned: "My heart is breaking all over again like 16 yr old me! will miss seeing you on my screen but wish you the absolute best of luck with whatever exciting adventure you're onto next! I can't wait to see! Freddie Roscoe will always have a huge place in my heart. " Another added: "What an absolute joy it's been having you back! Good luck with your next epic adventure Charlie!" A third person said: "You'll never be replaced and will ALWAYS be the hottest guy that Hollyoaks has ever seen." A fourth agreed: "Gutted . Wishing you luck in whatever you chose to do next. Ill be sure to watch whatever it is." Charlie joined the soap as Freddie back in 2013 and left in 2017 after seeking "justice" by assaulting on-off girlfriend Ellie Nightingale's attacker, leading to the lone-ranger going on the run. He was twice nominated for the best British Soap Actor award, Best Newcomer 2014 and last ever winner of TV soap's Sexiest Male award.
