Strictly Come Daning stars Janette Manrara and Aljaž Škorjanec made a frank admission during Celebrity Escape to the Country as a stunning home was out of budget.
The married couple appeared on a special edition of the popular show where they were looking for a permanent home in Cheshire. Janette and Aljaž were already renting in the area but was looking for a family home where they can raise their daughter.
With presenter Sonali Shah on hand to help, the pair looked at luxurious properties on Sonali's list. But house number two appeared to be too expensive for the couple.
The house which comes with a gym and its very own stream was on the market for £925,000. After hearing the high price Aljaž said: "I think we just need to dance a little bit harder. That's what we need to do, dance a little harder and better."
Laughing at his comments, Janette agreed and added: "So we can afford it!" The Strictly star's budget was between £700-900,000 which meant the second house would come at a stretch.
The Escape to the Country special which included the dancing duo previously aired in December 2023. But when it was first aired, many viewers were put off by the celebrity version, highlighting that their budget was well above the average person who appears on the BBC show.
One outraged viewer said at the time: "Our licence fee is paying for their house in the f**g country!!! Talk about rubbing it in our noses! Who the f commissioned this?!?"
Another furious online user also said: "Just because you can make a celebrity version doesn't mean you should!" Meanwhile, another viewer complained that the celebrity special was "out of touch".
Viewers React To The Celebrity Special
The celebrity special, featuring Janette and Aljaž, caused quite a stir on social media, with some viewers expressing their disapproval.
One viewer, clearly frustrated by the inclusion of celebrities in a show traditionally focusing on ordinary people searching for homes, wrote, "Our licence fee is paying for their house in the f**g country!!! Talk about rubbing it in our noses! Who the f commissioned this?!?"
Another individual echoed the sentiment, adding, "Just because you can make a celebrity version doesn't mean you should!"
The criticism wasn't limited to the financial aspect; some viewers also felt the celebrity special was "out of touch". This sentiment highlighted a broader issue regarding the representation of wealth and privilege in media.
A Search For A Family Home Continues
At the end of the programme, after viewing three outstanding properties, presenter Sonali wanted to find out what the pair wanted to do next. Explaining there situation, Janette concluded that although the three houses were spectacular, older properties often come with a lot of work.
She added that they were not able to sort out maintenance if anything damaging arose. Therefore they wanted to continue their search and look for newer properties in the area.
Escape to the Country airs weekdays at 3pm on BBC One.
The Dance Continues For A Home
Janette and Aljaž's journey for a family home in Cheshire continues. Despite the high price of one of their favourite homes, they remain determined to find the perfect place to raise their daughter. The episode highlighted the challenges of finding a home in a competitive market, especially when dealing with a limited budget.
The couple's story resonates with many viewers, reminding them of the challenges and joys of homeownership. As they navigate the property market, viewers are sure to be rooting for them to find their dream home.
