The popular channel 4 TV programme ´A Place in The Sun´ regularly films in the Axarquia region of Spain. Last November an episode was filmed in the white villages of Competa, Archez and Sayalonga where house hunters Lorraine and John, with the help of presenter Jean Johannsen, looked for their place in the Sun.
I was invited on this show to provide local information about the area and this episode screened last month. If you missed it, take a look on our facebook page and click on the link. Within a few days of this episode screening a new crew were back in Competa with different house hunters Clover and Mark and this time the presenter was Danni Menzies.
The Grapevine Magazine was given the opportunity of an interview with the gorgeous Danni. We met for coffee in the Plaza Almijara in Competa. She looked stunning and was extremely welcoming and happy to chat to me while the producer and assistant producer set up the filming in the nearby Paseo de las Tradiciones. The crew were all staying at the Hotel Balcon. This wasn’t their first stay in Competa so the owners of the hotel knew to have avocado and soya milk in stock as that is Danni’s preference for breakfast. She was flattered they remembered and explained it’s always nice to have the things you like when you are away from home for long periods. Danni is originally from Scotland and didn’t always want to be a presenter. She studied textile and design at university and after an accident left her scared both mentally and physically, she returned to her parents’ home in Scotland to heal. She developed the anxiety disorder Agoraphobia but through her love for animals she eventually overcame this by rescuing a horse and setting up a local riding school. Although she admits maybe the horse actually rescued her!
Danni accidently started a career in modelling when a photographer came to stay at her parents place and asked to take some photos which were a great success and led to modelling work nearby in Edinburgh. She ideally wanted to go and live and work in London but as she still had panic attacks it didn’t feel possible. So instead of giving up she travelled to Mexico City, she felt if she could cope with life there, one of the most dangerous places at the time, then she could cope with London. Although the plan was to stay a few months, within 3 weeks she was home and ready to start a life in London, prepared to cope with anything.
Once in London she continued with modelling and was offered a few presenting jobs. It was the latter she enjoyed immensely and she really hoped that was where her career was going. Just as she was about to give up her focus on
presenting, she was offered a job on A Place in The Sun. That was 4 and half years ago and she has never looked back. Over the years she has travelled to some fabulous places with the show, such as the Caribbean and Costa Rico. Her absolute favourite place she has visited with the show is Italy.
I asked if she has her own place in the sun which she replied no, but if that was to happen, she would love a home on one of the Greek islands such as Kefalonia with its rustic housing, pot holed roads and beautiful white and quiet beaches. Danni’s interest and hobbies include running which she manages to fit in most days before and after filming. She loves yoga and adores animals and rescuing them. Her beloved dog kinky is currently being spoilt at her parents’ home as due to a gap in filming, as a result of COVID, she will be away for around 3 months and although she loves her job she adores and misses Kinky.
A Place in the Sun has around 6 to 8 teams working at any on time in different locations which currently happens to be Spain, Italy, Greece and Cyprus. But every series the majority of shows made are in Spain as that’s the Channel 4 viewers favourite location to watch.
First, research is done in the area where the house hunters have expressed an interest. Often over 150 properties are considered and then a shortlist of 5 for the programme is made along with another 4 or 5 as a backup. Danni believes they provide an excellent service for the house hunter. They really do do their research and as a result currently purchases from the show are running around 80%.
The house hunters on this episode, Mark and Clover, were chosen for the show after a screen check at the Manchester A Place in The Sun Exhibition. They were contacted 4 weeks after their audition and couldn’t believe their luck. They are retired and have always wanted to buy a place abroad in the Axarquia and they loved Competa and surrounding villages and couldn’t wait to see more houses. They were really pleased with the research team, but you will have to wait and see if they buy when the episode is shown next year.
From November A Place in the Sun goes primetime and can be seen on Sunday nights starting 8th November at 7pm on Channel 4.Also the series celebrates it’s 21st birthday this autumn see article over the page.
Why not take a look at their informative website www.aplaceinthesun.com
here you will also find the application form for appearing on the show, so if you still haven’t found your place in the sun let them help you too!
