Wanted Down Under Revisited

Nicki catches up with a family featured in the 2014 series who decided against the move to Australia.

A revisit to the Hoe family.

Nicki revisits the Bone Family.

Nicki revisits the Stitt family.

Nicki revisits the Connor/King family.

Nicki revisits the Baum family.

Nikki revisits the Power family.

Nikki revisits the Treagust/Woodward family.

Nicki revisits the Joseph family.

Nicki revisits the Randle family.

The Shah/Lloyd family are revisited by Nicki.

Nicki catches up with the Barker family who moved to New Zealand.

Nicki catches up with a family featured in a previous series of the show.

Nicki revisits the Clanahan family who previously appeared on the show in 2013.

Nicki revisits the Howes Family who previously appeared in the show in 2013.

Nicki revisits the O'Connor family who featured on the show originally in 2014.

Life was hard for the Holroyds in 2015. Dad Simon's working week started at 2.45am on Monday morning and didn't finish until after 8.00pm on Friday night. When he eventually got home, he was too tired to spend any quality time with his family. The routine was driving loving wife Helen to tears every day, and threatened to tear her family apart.Desperate for change, she believed a fresh start for her family in Australia could be the solution. But leaving the UK would also mean Helen having to say goodbye to her mum, the one person who was always there for her at home.When the family experienced a trial week in Australia, everyone agreed their future would be brighter down under. So one year on, where do they family now call home?

In 2015, Australia-born Shari was desperate to return to her home country. When she met her husband Karie while travelling in the UK eight years previously, she had been upfront about her desire to return down under - and he had agreed they would one day make the country their home. The big question was when that would happen.Happy with their life in the UK, Karie was questioning his work prospects in Australia and worried about living on the other side of the world from his family and friends. Frustrated at waiting for Karie to fulfil his promise, Shari had run out of patience and was considering making the move without him. A trial week in Perth revealed the country had plenty of potential for both Karie and Shari, but one year on was it enough to keep the couple united on the same side of the world?

When the Wards spent a trial week in Darwin in 2009, mum Helen and dad Gary were hoping the country would be the key to a happier future. Gary had visited the country ten years previously and had convinced Helen the climate and lifestyle would help alleviate her seasonal depression. But with teenage daughter Rebecca reluctant to leave her beloved horses in the UK, it looked like they could have a challenge convincing her to move.Fortunately the prospect of a laidback lifestyle in the sunshine eventually won her over, and by the end of the week the whole family were in agreement - their future lay down under. Seven years on, are the family in the UK or living the life they all fell for in Australia?

In 2014, Gentle Spenceley was desperate to convince husband Phil to uproot their life in the UK and move to New Zealand - the country where she was born. Having moved to the UK when she was just six months old, Gentle had spent a lifetime longing to return down under. When the couple chose the country as their honeymoon destination, she hoped it would sell itself to Phil as somewhere they could start married life. But three weeks down under failed to win him over.When they became parents to Harrison in 2012, Gentle had put her dream of emigrating on the back burner. However, when Phil revealed he didn't feel settled in the English countryside soon after, she seized the opportunity to make him reconsider moving to the other side of the world.A trial week in Auckland was Gentle's last shot at persuading Phil to cast aside his practical and emotional concerns in order to follow her dream - and her efforts finally paid off. Now, two years on, have the family made the leap and moved down under or are they still at home in the UK?

In 2015, singer Victoria Underwood was longing to move her young family to Australia so she could be living on the same continent as the older sister she idolised. When her sister Emma had emigrated eight years previously, Victoria had been utterly devastated, and the pain of living on opposite sides of the world hadn't eased with time.Husband Rob, however, had serious reservations about turning his back on their life in the UK - especially as it would mean breaking close ties with his 18-year-old son Billy, who was living in London. An entertainer too, Rob also feared a move would mean an end to the regular gigs he and his wife had built up in Grimsby.A trial week in the Gold Coast gave the couple their first taste of what Australian living would be like for them and their two young children. Happily for Victoria, Rob agreed they could make a good life for themselves down under. So one year on, are the family living the dream on the other side of the world?

In 2012, Stuart and Gill Orrett longed to move their family to Australia to be closer to their eldest daughter Christine and their baby granddaughter. A trial week in Perth showed them a snapshot of how their life would look on the southern hemisphere, and while youngest daughter Lauren wasn't convinced, the rest of the family agreed it was the place for them.When we caught up with the family in 2013, they were living in limbo in the UK. Convinced their future lay in Australia, paramedic Gill had managed to secure a job down under, but with a start date proving elusive, the family had no idea how long it would be before they were on the move.Three years later, have the Orretts finally made it to the other side of the world, or did they decide their future lies a lot closer to home?

Danyel hated the UK's cold and wet weather and for years had longed to live a more outdoors lifestyle in the Australian sunshine. A previous attempt to secure the family a visa had resulted in her losing thousands of pounds - and with it, husband Guy's willingness to consider moving to a country none of them had ever visited. Convinced Australia wasn't where his family should be, he feared giving up the job he had held for 20 years and saying goodbye to their incredibly close-knit family in the UK. Eldest daughter Leeya was adamant she didn't want to leave her friends, and the thought of leaving extended family was enough to move another daughter, Lauren, to tears.A trial week in Perth proved insightful and confirmed Danyel's belief their life could indeed be better down under. So one year on, have the Pedley-McKnights decided home is where the heart is, or have they moved to the other side of the world?

Lynn Horn had dreamt of moving to Australia ever since childhood and, after years of discussion, husband Andy was finally in agreement the country could be somewhere they could call home. But with two teenage children less than convinced, the family's future looked far from certain.A trial week in Adelaide in 2010 gave the whole family their first taste of what life down under could be like. At the end of it, mum, dad and son Chris were all up for moving, but daughter Kirsty wasn't in agreement. Concerned about leaving her life and boyfriend in the UK, she had decided home was where the heart is.When we caught up with the family in 2011, they were still living in the UK, but Australia was firmly in their sights - and Kirsty was fully on-board for a move. The only thing holding them back was finances, but dad Andy was hopeful he had found a buyer for his glazing firm, and it was only a matter of time before they were away.So, six years after their trial week, have the Horns made it to the other side of the world, or have they decided to stay with the life they already had in the UK?

Ever since a holiday in Australia in his twenties, Richard Restarick had been keen to make a permanent return to the country. But plans to emigrate were put on hold ten years ago after he met the love of his life, Nieva, online.As their relationship blossomed, Nieva left her home country of the Philippines to join Richard in the UK. After struggling to settle initially, she had grown to love her new life in England and had forged a close-knit group of friends.But tough times running a business had seen Richard's thoughts return to emigrating down under, and he firmly believed the country could offer his wife and his daughter, Izzy, a brighter future. Nieva, however, wasn't interested in upping sticks and starting again in a new country for a second time and was worried Richard's dreams could drive them into poverty - something she had experienced in her childhood.A trial week in Adelaide helped Richard convince Nieva they could be happy in Australia, but Izzy was less impressed, and the thought of leaving family and friends saw her vote to stay in the UK.So, one year on, have the family made the move or decided to stay put in the UK?

In 2015 Julie was longing to make Australia her home, having first fallen for the country in her youth. Married with three children, she believed the time to move had finally arrived - and to prove it, she had already secured the family a visa to emigrate. With husband Dan having developed a serious case of cold feet, a trial week in Perth turned out to be just what was needed to allay his fears about walking away from a career he had worked hard to establish and saying goodbye to his much-loved dad in the UK.So one year on, have the Rutland family made it down under or decided to stay put in the UK?

Young couple Hannah and Zameer were struggling in the UK. To make ends meet, Hannah worked 13-hour shifts, sometimes without breaks, and Zameer was constantly doing overtime to increase his family's income. Since 2012, moving to Australia had been Hannah's 'project', but her husband didn't share the dream. She truly believed he would thank her for moving the family down under, and that once he had seen it for himself, he would buy into her way of thinking. For Zameer, though, Australia was just the latest in a long line of Hannah's grand plans which may not work out for the best. For every reason she wanted to move, he could make an argument to stay.However, when a week down under proved Hannah right, Zameer had to agree that the country was somewhere they could call home. So one year on, are the family still living in the UK, or have they made it to the other side of the world?

When air traffic controller Andrew Crompton applied for a job in Australia, his wife Gemma was hoping it was a flash in the pan idea that would soon disappear. Months later, however, Andrew had secured a job offer, meaning his family could soon be jetting off for a new life on the other side of the world. Unfortunately for him, Gemma wasn't convinced Australia was where her family should spend the rest of their lives. Having previously served abroad in the armed forces, she was more than happy to be at home, and the thought of uprooting and leaving close family was enough to move her to tears.After spending a week on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Gemma had to admit she was impressed by what the country could offer her family. So one year after greenlighting her husband's ambition to move, have the family made themselves at home in Australia or have they decided to stay in the UK?

An updated look at families previously featured on Wanted Down Under. Paula Jones had struggled to make ends meet ever since becoming a single mum and, despite going back to university, had no choice but to rely on the state for support. Desperate to provide a better future for her children and escape the benefits trap, Paula was considering a fresh start with her family in Australia. But while son Luke was up for a move, daughter Kacey wasn't convinced that what the country had to offer was worth sacrificing the close relationship she had with her dad.On their first trip down under in 2015, the family spent a week in Adelaide. Did the financial reality of life in Australia live up to Paula's hopes and persuade Kacey to make the move? One year on, we find out where the Joneses are now.

In 2014, James Cornish was working around a hundred hours a week as a pub landlord. With his wife Lisa teaching accountancy at colleges across the country, the couple were missing out on quality time with their sons Sami and Luis.Desperate to address their work-life balance, Lisa believed they could turn their lives around in Australia. However, emigrating would come at a huge price as James's daughter from a previous relationship would be left behind in the UK. Even if the family could persuade Lauryn to visit regularly, James faced the prospect of being separated from her for most of the year.A trial week in Melbourne gave the whole family a chance to witness how much their lives could be transformed down under - and Lauryn agreed she would happily call the country her second home. Two years on, have the Cornish family called time on their busy life in the UK and moved to the other side of the world, or has the reality of James being so far from his daughter pulled the plug on their Australian dream?

Greg Wallen fell in love with New Zealand while travelling in the country as a backpacker. On returning to the UK, he was just months from making a permanent return down under when a dabble in online dating saw him meet the love of his life, Jenni. Three years later the couple were married and living in Sheffield, and Greg was a loving stepfather to three-year-old Evie. But his dream of living the Kiwi lifestyle hadn't disappeared, leaving Jenni faced with a massive decision.When the family spent a trial week in Auckland in 2015, Greg was hoping it would be enough to persuade Jenni to buy into his dream. So one year on, what side of the world do the family now call home?

Back in 2012, the Fitzpatrick family experienced a trial week in Auckland. After years spent dreaming about emigrating, prison officer Billy was hoping the trip would show his wife Beth that the country offered a better future for their two young sons. But used to life in the Scottish village where she had grown up, Beth wasn't willing to jump into relocating to a country she had never even visited without careful consideration, especially as it would mean cutting close ties to her mum.When New Zealand's properties failed to impress her, Billy's chances of pursuing the dream life he wanted looked shaky. But after witnessing how much the lifestyle would suit her sons, things started to turn around, and Billy was delighted when, at the end of the week, the whole family voted to make the country their home. Four years on, we find out which side of the world the family call home.

Having moved to the UK from Australia almost half a century ago, Simon MacLean had spent most of his adult life longing to return. He believed the time was right to make the move, but he needed to convince partner Jane to leave everything she loved in the UK, including her mum. Simon and Jane lived in Chester with their dog Harry. They had been together for three years, were very happy together and loved each other to bits. Simon had Australian citizenship, and the subject of moving had been a constant thread throughout their relationship. Although Jane wasn't opposed to emigrating, she was feeling under pressure to do it sooner than she wanted. As an only child Jane could barely conceive the idea of leaving her elderly mum. The trial week was Simon's long-awaited chance to convince the love of his life, but was it enough, and did Jane buy into Simon's Australian dream?

Back in 2015 the Huddart family were living in London - Dad Nik, mum Sofia, then five-year-old Aliza, Izzie, who was nearly two, and Idris, who was then three. After a career in IT Nik had spent the last two years as a stay-at-home dad, which gave him plenty of time to enjoy his beloved London and spend time with the children. Sofia had concentrated on her medical career, but the shifts were demanding. The couple had started to think about New Zealand as a destination that would give them a better quality of life. Sofia had got very keen on the idea, but Nik was much more cautious. If a move didn't work out, moving back to London would be hard as house prices would rocket, making it impossible for the family to get back on the property ladder. Their trial week was meant to decide where they should call home. Could Sofia get the job she would need, and would Nik fall in love with the lifestyle enough to leave London?

In 2011 the Buchanan family faced a huge decision - whether to leave their family in Scotland to start a new life down under. Angie and Jason had been married for six years, but since the beginning Jason had just one dream for his family. Angie, on the other hand, had very different ideas about their future - she wanted it to stay in Scotland. However, concerns about her children's future had pushed Angie towards considering a move to Australia. One of the main reasons was her first child Jordan. He was born with special needs, and his physical disabilities were so improved in the sunshine in the UK that a warm life down under could improve his life dramatically. But it was Angie's daughter Sophie who was resisting the move the most. She couldn't face living on the other side of the world from her dad. Six years after a trial week, where do the Buchanan family call home?

Jessie Samra and Kevin Raison wanted the best future possible for their children but had become increasingly concerned about their family's prospects if they stayed put in the UK. Though they had never been,they had set their sights on a new life in Australia. Ahead of them was a week to discover if the country could live up to their high expectations.

Hedydd Jamieson had harboured dreams of living in Australia for well over a decade. She and her husband Steven were desperate to cast off the shackles of running a restaurant to carve out more family time withtheir children. She believed that a life in Australia would restore equilibrium to their work-life balance, but she had just one week to convince Steven and eldest son Leon that a better life could await them down under.

In 2011 the Andrews embarked on their trial week. Two flights, 9,000 miles and 22 hours gave them plenty of time to think about the journey ahead. It was a week that had the potential to change their lives forever, a long way from their home in Folkstone in Kent.

The Stirk family wanted to find out if emigration could offer them a better future.In 2012 Viv and Darren Stirk lived with their three children in Cleckheaton in West Yorkshire. Darren was a telecommunicationsengineer, Viv a school administrator, Daniella a student midwife, Emma a keen gymnast at 16 and Ben 12.

David McGuinness had talked about moving to Australia with his wife Jeanette since their very first date. But could he convince her to uproot their young family from their tight-knit Liverpool home? That wasthe major decision facing them in 2011.

Ten years ago Lee Ramoth tried to convince wife Lauren their life would be better on the other side of the world. But fast forward to 2016 and the shoe was on the other foot. The tables had turned and it wasLauren trying to persuade Lee to give up his very successful business and close family ties in the UK to pursue a future he once dreamed about in Australia.

Nine years ago a near-fatal road crash left Paul Nicholls fighting for survival. Given a second chance at life, he was determined to make the most of it - by moving his family to New Zealand. So where are they all now?

In 2012 Julie Godfrey's job working away from home had turned life into a nightmare, and her husband Alan couldn't take any more. A life down under beckoned, but in the end did they go?

After years on the move Mathew Royle Evatt was searching for somewhere to call home, and he believed that could be Australia. But did a week down under see his fiancee put up a fight?

Having survived challenging times, Gareth and Zoe Lloyd were hoping to make a fresh start in Australia. When their son Riley was born a move looked impossible, so where are they now?

Two near-death experiences had cheated Nazeem Mungur of the life he once knew. He was convinced moving down under could help him be the dad he once was, but did he persuade his wife to go?

An updated look at families previously featured on Wanted Down Under. Did Hannah Gaj manage to persuade husband Zameer to move down under?

An updated look at families previously featured on Wanted Down Under. Rebecca Ellis wanted a fresh start down under with her children and partner Kylie.

An updated look at families previously featured on Wanted Down Under. Victoria Underwood longed to move her family to Australia so she could live closer to her sister.

An updated look at families previously featured on Wanted Down Under. Struggling to make ends meet, Lisa believed she could give her daughter a better future in Australia.

An updated look at families previously featured on Wanted Down Under. Persephone and Debbie were disillusioned with life in the UK and wanted to move to New Zealand.

An updated look at families previously featured on Wanted Down Under. This episode catches up with former Olympic diver Ben Swain and his wife Katie, three years on.

An updated look at families previously featured on Wanted Down Under. Zoe longed for a new life for her family, but her eldest daughter didn't want to go.

An updated look at families previously featured on Wanted Down Under. Back in 2009 Sally Mills wanted to bring her family to Australia. Where are they now?

An updated look at families previously featured on Wanted Down Under. Lindy MacEwan longed for a fresh start in New Zealand. So where do she and the family live now?

18-year-old Richelle was determined to move to New Zealand and take Mum Lorraine with her. But did a trial week persuade Lorraine she can leave her own Mum behind in Wales?

Simon MacLean was a man with a mission, for fiancee Jane that was a big ask. A trial week proved tempting so where are Jane and Simon living now?

Mary Hanson had grown up listening to family tales of adventure Down Under. Did a trial week help husband Keith convince her Australia was somewhere they could call home? Two years later, are Keith and Mary Hanson Home or Away?

Working away every week had Dad Simon exhausted and put a strain on his relationship with his wife. She thought Australia could give the family a new lease of life.

The Thoms have travelled the world with the RAF, but now mum Lori's dream is to settle down under. But with his latest posting back home, has everything changed for husband Kev?

Daryl Brenton from West Yorkshire thought moving to Australia would give him and his family the perfect life. Eight years later, where do they call home?

Following up with a family who had settled in Rothesay Bay and had totally embraced NZ life, but found that mum Sofia needed to secure a permanent job or they would have to return to the UK.

Catching up with Gentle Spenceley, who wanted to move her family to her native New Zealand in 2014. Husband Phil was sceptical, so did Gentle get her way?

Derry-born Ciara wanted to move to Perth to give her daughters a sunshine lifestyle, but husband Ruairi had big concerns. One year later we find out what they decided.

Lynn Walters loves Australia so much she even called her daughter Matilda. But did she succeed in selling husband Owen on her dream of waltzing off to Oz?

When Lynn met Alan, she put her Australian dream on hold. When she raised the subject again later, Alan wanted to stay put in Scotland. One year on, where are they now?

Back in 2014 the Bones were struggling to cope and thought they might find a better life in Australia. But did a trial week deliver what they wanted, and where are they now?

Struggling to balance work and family life, Laura Evans wanted to move her family to Australia. Three years on from their trial week, which way did the scales tip?

Having fragile X syndrome meant life was tough for Albie. Mum Jayne thought the warm lifestyle of Australia would be good for him, but dad Eugene wasn't convinced.

Australian-born Steve Salaman thought it time to return down under for good, and Colombian wife Elizabeth was on board. But the decision caused daughter Allie anguish.

After a number of failed attempts to move down under, Jaz Mudhar felt time was running out for her dream of living in Australia, but husband Jasdeep dreaded the thought of emigrating.

After leaving her native South Africa for the UK when her young daughter became critically ill, Zelease Ballentine Brain came to feel that her young children needed to live in a place where being outside in the sunshine was the norm. Husband Matt was naturally cautious and needed to see that Australia would give the family all that Zelease had talked about. Did a trial week swing him round to her way of thinking, and, three years on, where have they decided to settle?

Claire believed the New Zealand lifestyle would be perfect for her daughter, who had been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis. However, was she able to convince husband Russell?

Was Lee able to convince wife Amanda and son Aaron that a move to New Zealand would be all he had hoped? Three years after their trial week, we find out where they are now.

Inspired by her grandfather's tales of a beautiful country, could Rebecca convince partner Kylie and her children to move to Australia away from their father? Where are they now?

Cheryl wants to take a leap and move down under after the sad passing of her father. However, has she reconvinced husband Adam after it being his idea in the first place?

After a terrible accident turned their lives upside down, Stan and Andrea thought Australia was the answer. So six years since we last saw them, did the dream become reality?

Stef Barker was convinced that New Zealand was the best place for her family, but did she manage to persuade reluctant husband Alan round to her point of view and make the move?

Eric Graham longed for beaches and barbecues in Australia, but wife Rachel wasn't so keen. Three years later, has he persuaded his family to make the move down under?

Gareth was on a mission to convince wife Jodi that their family's future lay down under. Three years since we last saw them, have they decided to make the move?

Andrew Treagust thought a change of pace in New Zealand was just what his family needed. Six years since we last saw them, has the dream become a reality?

Nat Baker had one week in Melbourne to convince wife Gemma to make the move down under. Three years on, did the family succeed in making a new life in Australia?

Mum Thandi wanted to convince her family that their future lay in New Zealand. Two years since their trial week, have the Hagos family swapped south London for down under?

Mum Tanya thought Australia offered the best opportunities for her autistic son Jordan. Now, seven years since we last saw them, have the Cleary family managed to make a new life there?

Lee and Abigail's hectic schedule meant family life was suffering and something needed to change. Two years since we last saw them, did New Zealand end up being the answer?

Lee and Debbie Daniels had been through their fair share of problems and thought a new life in New Zealand might be the answer. Five years on, did they decide to make the move?

Persephone and Debbie thought a new life in New Zealand would be the perfect thing for their family. Three years since we last saw them, did they manage to make the big move?

Abi Langridge was obsessed with the idea of a new life in Australia, and a trial week in Perth won her family round to the idea. Three years on, did they all end up down under?

Steve Hargreaves had happy memories of Australia and hoped a trial week would persuade wife Dianne they should relocate there. Three years since we last saw them, did the Hargreaves make the move?

After injury cut short his career as an Olympic diver, Ben Swain wanted wife Katie to try a fresh start in Australia. Four years since we last saw them, did they make the move?

Gill Johnson hoped a trial week in Perth would win husband Mark round to the idea of relocating to Australia. Three years since we last saw them, did they decide to make the move?