Escape to the Country host Nicki Chapman was left speechless during Friday's (June 6) search as she made an "emotional" admission.

In the latest episode of the BBC show, Nicki was introduced to widow Steph, who decided to leave her Buckinghamshire home in search of a new start in the picturesque North Yorkshire countryside.

"The past few years have been more about dying than living, and I think that it's time to start living again," Steph said.

Steph had taken early retirement back in 2017 to look after her husband Ken, who suffered from Parkinson's and dementia. Ken sadly passed away, and a year on from his death, Steph wanted to pursue their shared dream of escaping to the country.

"I want to go walking in landscapes that inspire me to do my art. Be near places that I can go walking and running, maybe some wild water swimming, and to do all the things that my husband and I planned to do," she detailed, reports .

With a budget of £420,000, Steph was on the lookout for a charming semi-detached house featuring three bedrooms and enough room for an art studio.

Her wish list also included a quaint, easy-to-maintain garden, as well as a garage and parking space.

"It's been a really tough year for Steph. I can't imagine what she has been through because she's lost her dear husband, and this was the dream of theirs to move away to a different location and have fresh adventures together," Nicki remarked.

"And now she's found that she's doing it on her own. I have so much admiration for her. It takes a lot of courage, I think, to move from an area that you've known all your life, to sell up the house with all its memories.

"And I truly, truly hope we can find her the property and the location of her dreams."

Nicki and Steph began the property search in South Otterington, and they were joined by Steph's best friend, Sue.

As they walked into the large reception room of the first house, Steph was instantly brought to tears, with host Nicki putting a comforting arm around her.

"Oh, it's gorgeous. I love it," she said.

Later on, Nicki took Steph and Sue to "one of the prettiest villages in the whole of Yorkshire".

They arrived in Thornton-le-Dale to see the mystery house, a grade two listed Victorian end-of-terrace.

Steph instantly fell in love with the property and was astounded to learn that it was priced at £345,000 - a whopping £75,000 lower than her budget.

The buyers already had an offer on the home, but were keen for Steph to have a look at it.

As an excited Steph and Sue went back inside for another look, Nicki visibly teared up as she spoke to the camera.

"For the first time ever, I'm getting quite emotional. I'll leave it," she tearfully said, before walking away.

At the end of the episode, Steph revealed that she had contacted the estate agent of the mystery house and put an offer in. It had been accepted, but only if Steph can sell her current home.

Escape to the Country airs weekdays at 3pm on BBC One