Escape to the Country's Sonali Shah apologises as guests accuse her of 'messing with their heads'

ESCAPE To The Country host Sonali Shah issued a frank apology at the start of a property-hunting search in leafy Somerset.

The presenter was tasked with finding contestants Lorraine and Colin their dream retirement home, which would see them move to the county from south east London.

Escape To The Country host Sonali Shah apologised to a pair of property-hunters in SomersetCredit: BBC

Sonali was forced to apologise after the first property left the married couple, who had a £425,000 budget, in a tizz.

They were shown an Edwardian home which ticked all of their boxes – except its garden was too small.

Colin said: “I think, we were hoping for something bigger.

“I have to say that whether it’s a deal-breaker, I’m not so sure. Because the actual property itself is amazing,”

Contestants Colin and Lorraine quipped how the BBC host was 'messing' with their 'heads' with a stunning first property choice — Contestants Colin and Lorraine quipped how the BBC host was ‘messing’ with their ‘heads’ with a stunning first property choiceCredit: BBC

Sonali joked she had a 'habit' of messing with contestants heads and making them confused — Sonali joked she had a ‘habit’ of messing with contestants heads and making them confusedCredit: BBC

But Lorraine interjected: “It’s kind of messing with my head.”

Sonali promptly apologised.

“I do apologise for messing with your heads,” she said.

“I have a habit of doing that, I’m afraid.”

Later in the episode, the former Newsround host said she was giving the pair 'exactly what they didn't know they wanted' — Later in the episode, the former Newsround host said she was giving the pair ‘exactly what they didn’t know they wanted’Credit: BBC

Colin then conceded: “We wouldn’t have wanted to miss out on that house because the garden was a bit smaller than what we were looking for.”

Later in the episode, Sonali also was forced to explain her property choices as they again left the couple in a dilemma.

She teased: “I’m giving you exactly what you didn’t know you wanted.”

The pair, who were embarking on their first house hunt for 40 years, plumped for property number two – completely different in era as a modern, contemporary home.

Sonali, 40, previously laid down the law to a couple seeking a business and home ventureCredit: BBC

Previously, Sonali was forced to lay down the law to a couple seeking a joint home and business in north Wales.

They craved the land to create a series of holiday lets in the lush, tranquil location.

Host Sonali, 40, thought she’d pinned down the perfect pad with the mystery property – a lavish hotel – and this was all but confirmed by the pair’s response.