A Place in the Sun

There is one very strict rule for would-be homebuyers applying to take part in the long-running Channel 4 show, producer Siobhan O’Gorman has revealed

Siobhan O’Gorman, the TV producer who leads the A Place In The Sun team, has lifted the lid on how the hit Channel 4 show picks would-be house buyers to appear on the series.

She points out that some things have changed a lot since A Place In The Sun first aired 25 years ago: “The first-ever episode 25 years ago featured a couple looking for a holiday home in the French Pyrenees with a budget of £40,000,’ she told the Daily Mail. “That wasn’t a bad budget then, but today you wouldn’t get much for that.”

But other aspects are still very much the same, Siobhan adds: “We need to be sure every applicant is in a position to put in a genuine offer,” she says. “We have great relationships with estate agents all over Europe and beyond, so it’s important to maintain that.”

While something like two-thirds of applicants are hoping for a new home in Spain, many others get in touch with dreams of finding properties in Cyprus, Portugal and Greece.

“But we’re also seeing increased interest in countries such as Croatia, Turkey and Dubai,” Siobhan says.

Wherever they want to end up, applicants start by filling in a 12-page application form. Then Siobhan and the team go through every one, to identify house-hunters who are looking for properties in the areas that align with countries that the show is planning to visit in the coming season.

The next stage is an on-camera interview to assess whether the applicants will make for good TV, and whether their aspirations are realistic.

Competition is intense, Siobhan says: “‘It’s fair to say we have at least ten applications for every show and it’s 20 for some of the more popular resorts.”

Siobhan adds: “We like to reflect a variety of budgets and areas in each country, though, so we wouldn’t do six shows with the same budget and the same wish list in Mijas Costa in Spain, but we may do two shows there with differing budgets.”

All of this behind-the-scenes work helps A Place In The Sun look smooth and well-organised on screen. However, presenter Laura Hamilton, who has been with the show since 2012, describes one incident that she playfully christened “Mudgate” where anything that could go wrong, did go wrong.

As the team were trying to help a would-be expat find a retirement home in Abruzzo, Italy, a massive downpour caused mayhem.

The team were in multiple vehicles for social distancing reasons, and one by one, each one of them become mired down in slippery mud.

“We were there for three hours and had to have tractors pull us out,” Laura recalled. “I’m known for wearing high heels on the show because I’m quite short. I remember having these ridiculously high heels on and they got caked in mud.

“House hunter Sue was “mortified,” Laura recalled, blaming herself for choosing a remote rural location that didn’t even have proper tarmac roads. house. Laura tried to reassure Sue, telling her “It’s not your fault – and I always say you’ve got to love a house come rain or shine,” to which the embarrassed homebuyer replied: “Well, I definitely don’t love this one!”

Jasmine Harman, the co-presenter of the Channel 4 series A Place in the Sun: Home or Away? alongside Jonnie Irwin, has shared her top tips for last-minute summer getaways

With the UK already basking in a record-breaking heatwave – the hottest June on record – and the majority of schools breaking up for summer next week, families across the country are gearing up for a much-needed escape here in the UK and broad.

But if you haven’t booked anything yet, don’t panic – you’re in good company.

According to a YouGov survey, 15% of Brits book their summer holidays within the month before travelling. And, I’ll be honest, I’m one of them! I’ve always been a bit of a last-minute planner! Life gets busy, and sometimes you just have to grab the moment.

Clearly, I’m not alone. Enterprise Mobility’s new research shows that 78% of people in the UK are planning at least one overnight trip this summer, with August shaping up to be the peak month for getaways.

So, whether you’re planning a family escape to Cornwall, a scenic drive through Scotland, or even heading abroad to explore the South of France or the Spanish coast, here are my top holiday hacks for a stress-free, last-minute escape.

READ MORE: Turkey’s Marmaris tops list of cheapest summer holiday destinations for families

1. Don’t over-plan – always leave room for discovery

If you’re heading to the coast, countryside, or hopping across to Europe, don’t feel like you need a minute-by-minute itinerary. Some of the best holiday moments come from spontaneous decisions – a pop-up market, a quiet beach cove, or a quirky museum you spot on the way. Leave space to wander, take detours, and see where the day takes you.

2. Rent a car for flexibility (and space!)

If your usual car feels cramped or isn’t up to a long journey, hiring a car can make all the difference – especially when you’ve got kids, beach gear, or grandparents in tow. I’ve used Enterprise Rent-A-Car for years because it’s quick, convenient, and reliable. If like me, you’re usually in charge of making sure everything runs smoothly on your breaks, you know the value of stress-free excellent service. That’s why I love the flexibility of renting a car – it just gives you options. And on a last-minute trip, that’s gold.

3. Pack like a pro – even if you’re in a rush

Don’t waste precious time hunting for suncream or headphones at the airport or petrol station. A bit of prep goes a long way. I always pack reusable water bottles, bin bags for sandy shoes, a portable phone charger, and plenty of snacks. For any last-minute panic-ers, keep a list of everything you need and tick off the items as they go in your case. And when you’re at the end of your holiday, it’s a great way to check nothing gets left behind.

If we’re driving, a great playlist is essential – but even on flights or trains, don’t underestimate the power of noise-cancelling headphones and a downloaded movie!

READ MORE: ‘Check smallprint’ warning after balcony plunge dad hit by ‘booze clause’READ MORE: NASA tests new supersonic plane with revolutionary tech that solves Concorde’s fatal flaw

4. Be a last-minute legend – spontaneous adventures are the best

You don’t need to book six months in advance to have an amazing time. In fact, some of the best getaways I’ve had were planned just days before. With so many travel tools and booking apps now, it’s easier than ever to be spontaneous. I know that this comes easier to some of us than others.

So, if you’re usually planned, booked and packed well ahead of time – why not take a last-minute trip this summer with the only thing on your itinerary being to explore somewhere new?

5. School holiday survival tip: travel smart, not stressed

If you’re travelling with children, the trick is to move when it’s quiet – early mornings or after dinner are often calmer. And always come prepared: audiobooks, travel games, and a “surprise bag” of little treats can work wonders to keep kids entertained.

A happy journey makes all the difference when you’re starting a holiday, especially if you’re setting off at the crack of dawn.