Wanted Down Under

Original version

BBC One Channel Islands

Factual: Families & Relationships

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

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

BBC Two

Simulcast of network BBC One in high definition. From 03/11/2010

BBC One HD

The BBC West region started on 1st September 1957 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One West.

BBC One West

The BBC South West region started on 20th April 1961 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One South West.

BBC One South West

The BBC South region started on 5th January 1961 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One South.

BBC One South

BBC One London

London

BBC One West Midlands

BBC One region covering Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Nottinghamshire.

BBC One East Midlands

The BBC East region started on 1st May 1959 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One East.

BBC One East

BBC One North West

The BBC North East & Cumbria region started in 1959 (tbc) as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One North East & Cumbria.

BBC One North East & Cumbria

BBC One Yorkshire

Simulcast of BBC One Scotland in high definition. From 14/01/2013

BBC One Scotland HD

BBC One Oxfordshire

Simulcast of BBC One Northern Ireland in high definition. From 24/10/2012

BBC One Northern Ireland HD

Formerly part of a wider BBC One South East region that included London and part of the South region. Separated from BBC One London 2001-09-03 following reorganisation of the South East region.

BBC One South East

BBC One Cambridgeshire

Simulcast of BBC One Wales in high definition. From 29/01/2013

BBC One Wales HD

BBC One Yorks & Lincs

BBC One Scotland

Scotland

BBC Northern Ireland region started on 19th April 1955 as part of the BBC Television Service, before becoming BBC One Northern Ireland.

BBC One Northern Ireland

BBC One Wales

Wales

BBC Two Scotland

BBC Two Northern Ireland

Until 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales (analogue) was known simply as BBC Two Wales. BBC Two Wales (digital) was BBC 2W. From 03/01/2009 BBC Two Wales schedules on both analogue and digital became identical

BBC Two Wales

BBC Two England

England

Simulcast of network BBC Two in high definition.

BBC Two HD

Simulcast of BBC Two Northern Ireland in high definition

BBC Two Northern Ireland HD

Simulcast of BBC Two Wales in high definition

BBC Two Wales HD

Nicki Chapman

Paul Connolly

Joy Hines

Jacqui Berkeley

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

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Wanted Down Under

Series 12

Episode 25: Parker Family

Contributors

Genres

Brand

Series

BBC One Channel Islands

About BBC One