Gransnet forums

TV, radio, film, Arts

The Great B &B Challenge, Ch 4.

(23 Posts)
merlotgran Mon 15-Dec-25 10:56:55

On the Facebook page for the C4 series A new life in the sun it says the winners will feature on that. I look forward to seeing how they get on.

I will look forward to that.
I felt the two men entered the competition under false pretences when it was revealed that only one of them would actually run the B&B as the other one would continue to work in the UK.
A relationship heading for disaster. The judges were not that stupid!
I really enjoyed bingeing the whole series - especially the gorgeous houses and scenery.

Grandmadinosaur Sat 13-Dec-25 17:38:52

vegansrock

There will probably be a follow up series to see how they got on - the older Irish couple could get Irish passports so wouldn't have problems. The two guys weren't wholly committed more interested in the decor than giving their guests a fresh croissant. The young couple were lovely but a bit naive and were annoying with the stickers everywhere. The shouty woman would have driven me mad - if I go to a B n B I want a clean room, nice breakfast and hosts who stay in the background.

On the Facebook page for the C4 series A new life in the sun it says the winners will feature on that. I look forward to seeing how they get on.

vegansrock Sat 13-Dec-25 15:49:46

There will probably be a follow up series to see how they got on - the older Irish couple could get Irish passports so wouldn't have problems. The two guys weren't wholly committed more interested in the decor than giving their guests a fresh croissant. The young couple were lovely but a bit naive and were annoying with the stickers everywhere. The shouty woman would have driven me mad - if I go to a B n B I want a clean room, nice breakfast and hosts who stay in the background.

J52 Sat 13-Dec-25 13:54:19

Ahh I see looking back, that you Sago have a similar thought.

J52 Sat 13-Dec-25 13:53:02

I agree the best couple won, I was rooting for them from the start. I began to wonder, especially in the last episode if ‘shouty’ couple were wanting to make themselves celebrities, rather like some of the Gogglebox people have done.

LauraNorderr Sat 13-Dec-25 13:41:47

I think the right couple won. Good cooking skills, calm in front of guests and personable without being OTT.
I agree the shouty woman would drive me mad within the first few moments.
I enjoyed the show. An interesting concept.
I have a feeling you may have won this a few years Sago. I gather you’ve had success in hospitality and are a great cook.

LadyGracie Sat 13-Dec-25 13:32:33

I must have a look at this, thank you.

merlotgran Sat 13-Dec-25 13:26:40

I’m about to watch
episode 7. Been working hard in the garden this morning so I deserve a guilty pleasure. 😂

shysal Sat 13-Dec-25 09:01:43

The right people won in my opinion!

MartavTaurus Fri 12-Dec-25 17:50:20

I did this for several years. Luckily I came from a background of dealing with "customers" in a very demanding environment, so I was quite good at biting my tongue or appearing serene and accommodating!
I haven't watched the series, so thanks for the recommendation.
We akways kept a discreet distance, but supported guests when necessary (doctors, breakdowns etc). We also ran courses and visits. As for cooking, if it were anything special we called in a French chef and sommelier.
It was physically hard work. We rarely sat down until late evening.
I hope these people are enjoying it as much as we did, fond memories.

Off to check in the programne out.

sodapop Fri 12-Dec-25 17:38:47

Ditto merlotgran way too much for me.

merlotgran Fri 12-Dec-25 16:24:56

The loud lady and her towel folding husband would, sadly, drive me bonkers

She’s far too over familiar. If a B&B owner met me at the door with outstretched arms and, ‘Give us a love,’ I’d run for the hills!

TerriBull Thu 11-Dec-25 10:45:45

Thanks for the heads up, I didn't know it was on. I do watch 4 in a Bed whenever there's a new series. A bit of light entertainment to catch up with.

Sago Thu 11-Dec-25 10:40:23

It’s just occurred to me they would need EU passports to live and work in France.

ferry23 Thu 11-Dec-25 09:37:24

The husband in the Irish couple is (allegedly) a chef. So far, he said he had a great shortcut for making Hollandaise - which turned out thin, runny and lumpy with no emulsifying agent. He overcooked a creme brulee. And they're in the middle of one of the most abundant regions of France for fresh produce- fantastic meat, masses of fresh fruit & veg, fabulous cheeses and butter - when asked to cook a three course meal, he goes to a supermarket, buys a packet of mince and makes lasagne. Not my kind of chef.

The loud lady and her towel folding husband would, sadly, drive me bonkers. And anyway, towels belong in a bathroom, not a bedroom.

It's all a bit contrived - I don't think many B&B hosts would take their guests on excursions or even put on events. I would hate it if they followed me around, both showed me to my room (and helpfully point out the bed and bedside tables - I never would have known otherwise hmm). Or hover over me while I'm eating.

I'm not sure how the young couple would manage in the prize B&B- two bedrooms would have to be for them and their children and one bathroom, so that reduces their turnover straight away.

Interesting that the judges seem to be obsessed with finding out about the hosts - as a guest, I wouldn't be interested in the slightest. Neither would I dream of turning up early and expecting my room to be ready.

I wonder how it all works for the winners - if Channel 4 just give them the keys or if they provide legal back up and other support to get them going.

I can't predict the winners, but I'll be disappointed if it's shouty lady.

sodapop Thu 11-Dec-25 09:35:15

I've been watching too, we ran a B &B in France for a while so know how difficult it can be. We did meet some lovely interesting people though which made up for the hard work.
I did feel that all the couples were a bit overwhelming at times, some guests prefer a quieter approach. I'm interested to see how it all pans out.,

shysal Thu 11-Dec-25 09:23:59

I am enjoying the programme. I record it and watch after my tea. I agree that the loud lady is extremely annoying, I hope she doesn't win. I favour the older couple from Northern Ireland.
Each couple has one more able than the other. The males who claim to be trained chefs sometimes let the side down.
The most important quality is common sense, and not all of them have it!

J52 Thu 11-Dec-25 08:27:37

I’m watching it mostly on playback as it’s on at a difficult time for me.
I also hope the couple from NI win. I wouldn’t stay again with someone as loud as the other older couple. I’m sure they’re very nice in person, but I’d like some peace and quiet in the country.
The young couple are sweet, but a bit chaotic. Their food looks very appealing, if they win maybe they’ll open a restaurant as well.
It’s a good programme, well thought out.

Suzieque66 Thu 11-Dec-25 08:03:58

The loud older woman is completely deluded if she thinks she can win ... she is so loud and noisy and keep shrieking and laughs every 4 mins , which is so annoying as her clients may prefer a quiet calm atmosphere ...

Grandmadinosaur Wed 10-Dec-25 20:50:49

Absolutely. My in laws used to run one in a seaside town and heard about it from them.

Sago Wed 10-Dec-25 20:19:08

I hope the older couple from NI get it.

The couples that have been eliminated really had little idea, it’s much harder than people realise.

Grandmadinosaur Wed 10-Dec-25 19:47:19

Yes we are watching it and enjoying it.

I know exactly what you mean about the loud couple. They mean well but just too over the top.

Who do you think will win? I think the older Irish couple sorry names escape me. I do think the younger Irish couple underestimate how time consuming running a b&b could be whilst having a young family.

Sago Wed 10-Dec-25 19:05:33

This is compulsive viewing, different couples battle to out to win a B&B in France.

There is one couple who are shall we say a little loud and very irritating!

I think they could end up with their own show😱.

Anyone else watching?