North Lincolnshire Couple Pursues Dream Holiday Home in Spain

A couple from North Lincolnshire, Philip Hicks and Paula Kirk, is set to feature in the property show A Place In The Sun as they embark on a quest for their dream holiday home in Spain. The episode will air on October 22, 2023, at 18:00, showcasing their journey to find the perfect getaway in the Barcelona region.

Philip and Paula, long-time residents of Keadby, have always dreamed of owning a property abroad. They sought the assistance of the show’s property experts to navigate their search. While they have opted to keep the outcome of their search a secret, they described their experience as “brilliant.” Philip expressed a sense of urgency about the opportunity, stating, “I wish we’d done it years ago.”

Filming took place in 2023, and the couple was eager to share their adventure with the audience. “We wanted to be in the Barcelona area but left it pretty much up to them. The only thing we didn’t want was something that needed a load of work,” Philip explained. They were particularly clear about avoiding renovation projects, focusing instead on properties ready for immediate enjoyment.

During the show, they traveled to various locations without prior knowledge of the properties they would visit. “The driver wouldn’t say where we were going,” Philip recalled. “Eventually, we’d get to such and such a property. The part where the presenter is on the phone discussing offers is genuine; it’s all real.”

Philip has a longstanding connection to Barcelona, having visited the city four to five times a year for the past three decades and being a member of FC Barcelona. Encouraged by his family to participate in the show, Philip researched the application process, which he described as extensive. “There were about 30 pages to download,” he noted.

After submitting his application, Philip received a call from Channel 4 that he initially thought was a prank. Following a screen test in London, the film crew visited Keadby for on-location filming in April 2023. “They said it could be up to two years before the programme would be shown on TV,” he added.

The couple worked with presenter Laura Hamilton, whom Philip described as “genuine and nice.” They enjoyed a week filled with filming, which required them to wear identical outfits for continuity. “You can’t wear stripes or logos; you have to look the same throughout,” he explained.

Their filming days started early, with breakfast at 08:00 and shooting beginning at 09:00. Philip mentioned that while some properties did not match their brief perfectly, the episode included elements of unpredictability. “In our episode, there is a bit of jeopardy,” he noted.

Reflecting on their experience, Philip encourages others to consider participating in the show. “I’d recommend this to anybody. I wish we’d done it years before.” Their appearance is eagerly anticipated by friends and family, with Philip stating that “most of North Lincolnshire will be tuning in,” including his dentist, who expressed interest in the airing date.

As the couple prepares for the episode’s premiere, they remain excited about sharing their journey and hope to inspire others to pursue their own dreams of owning a holiday home abroad.