Wanted Down Under

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British families are given a look at life in Australia ahead of possible migration

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Wanted Down Under: Series 12: Episode 25: Parker Family

Parker Family

Episode 25

Episode 25: Parker Family

Series 12

BBC One - Wanted Down Under, Series 12, Parker Family

Surfing lover Stephen longs to live by the sea in Australia.

Loving to surf means Stephen longs to live by the sea in Australia, but his wife Marta knows only too well how hard it is to move far away from family.

Landlocked Birmingham-born Stephen Parker is a most unlikely surfer dude. But he's long held a dream of living in Australia and riding that perfect wave. However, his Bulgaria-born wife Marta is reading from a different script. An aspiring actress, she's determined to stay in the UK, close to where she's made a new life for her and her family.

Meet the Parker family. Dad Stephen, mum Marta and one-year-old William. They met six years ago at the wedding of a mutual friend and fell head over heels in love. Marta left her home in Bulgaria, where she was an aspiring actress, to move to be with Stephen in the UK. Not only did she give up her career for Stephen, but she was leaving her much-loved mum, particularly difficult after her father had passed away.

The couple married in 2014, and although it has taken a while they are now happily settled in the UK with baby William arriving a year ago. But now Stephen is asking Marta to make another move - to Australia. It has been his dream for over 30 years. While he loved growing up in Birmingham, the only thing missing was the sea, so as soon as he was old enough he moved to the coast and took up surfing. But working in London meant chances to indulge his passion were few and far between. But when Marta went into early labour and Stephen didn't get to her in time to help, he knew things had to change. He has taken a career break to ensure more time with his family, but the lure of the surf is calling to him once again.

Marta has had something of a change of heart too. Her mum has now sadly passed away, and with no family left in Bulgaria she believes now might be the best time to think of a move. But she has grown very close to Stephen's family, and taking William away from the only close family he now has would be emotionally very tough.

But Stephen is pretty confident he'll be able to persuade her it's a risk worth taking. A week on the coast near Melbourne gives the family the chance to see what living down under would be like for them if they emigrated.

Wanted Down Under: Series 12

BBC One

Families decide whether to emigrate to Australia or New Zealand

Series in which families experience a trial week living in Australia or New Zealand before deciding whether to move to the other side of the world for good

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Episode 25: Parker Family

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