Chapelford couple eyeing ‘dream’ life in Spain to appear on A Place in the Sun

Bernie Wilks, 47, and husband George, 65, had applied to feature on A Place in the Sun five times before they found out they were successful in the summer.

The show features couples who are looking to swap the grey skies of Britain for sun, sea and sand abroad.

After heading to London for a screen test the couple, who tied the knot in 2014, were jetted off to Spain to look at five properties, north of Costa Blanca.

As their home in Warrington was in the process of being sold at the start of October, they found a perfect two-bed property with a terrace in Oliva, north of Benidorm.

But with most of their household items in storage Bernie and George were left devastated as they returned from their all-expenses paid trip.

Bernie, who works in Warrington Hospital’s A&E department as a department assistant, said: “We took a chance on the programme.

“We were ready to sell the house and move out.

“But when we came back home we were left absolutely gutted and distraught.

"We had agreed for sale price for one of the properties and went through the various things required.

“But when we came back, a week before we were due to exchange contracts, the buyer for our property here pulled out.”

However, the pair remain in high spirits despite the blow.

George, who is retired, said: “Our house is back on the market and we are hoping for the best.

“Oliva was lovely and we want to be a part of that community.

“What we initially thought of Spain is what we found in Oliva – it fulfilled all of our needs.

“It is still our dream and we will get there.

“What we intend to do now is, quite simply, the moment we sell the house we will be straight on the internet to see if it is still available and, if so, we will be straight out there.

“If it is not available then we will look for another one nearby. What will happen will happen.”

The pair are eagerly awaiting Monday’s one-hour show, which will be broadcast on Channel 4 at 4pm.