- 6 hours ago
Escape to Florida Season 1 Episode 1
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Short filmTranscript
00:00What's all of me on?
00:00Yeah, like, because it's stunning.
00:02Who wouldn't want to live here like this?
00:04They've swapped drizzly winters and gas bills for new careers
00:07and seemingly endless fun in the sun.
00:10Cheers, big ears!
00:12It's our little piece of paradise.
00:14Get it right, and life in Florida can be like a dream come true.
00:18Every evening, do this with your glass of wine.
00:20But getting here and staying here takes hard work.
00:23I do pinch myself every day.
00:26Grits.
00:27We just lost the starboard motor.
00:28And determination.
00:30Good job. Well done.
00:31These are the Brits who've made their own Escape to Florida.
00:39Today on Escape to Florida, Martin and Beverley open up their new pub.
00:43Here we go.
00:46But could it blow up in their face?
00:48I thought, let's get a hot air balloon.
00:51I'm starting to realise now that it's not a great idea.
00:53Donna has great expectations for husband Dan.
00:56So, Dan.
00:57Over to me.
00:58You are going to do it.
01:00As he tries his hand in Florida's hot property market.
01:03This is where Abba used to live.
01:05It went up last year for 2.5, and it was sold for 2.2.
01:10It's a bargain.
01:11Six bedrooms.
01:12And could too many cooks...
01:14A lot of food.
01:15But that's what we do.
01:16Spoils Chef Anthony's 60th birthday celebrations.
01:19Happy birthday to you.
01:29Near Orlando in Central Florida, with its theme parks and million British visitors a year, is the city of Claremont.
01:38Home to Martin and Beth, who moved here six years ago.
01:41I owned a car dealership in Manchester, which I've had for nearly 20 years.
01:45I got approached by someone who wanted to buy the company.
01:48The timing felt right.
01:49We already had a home here.
01:50We'd always loved coming to Florida.
01:52We got married here in 1998.
01:54It just ticks a lot of boxes.
01:57Recently, Martin and Beth took the biggest risk of their lives and bought a pub.
02:01Welcome to the best of British pub.
02:03We tried to create a cosy, traditional British pub in here.
02:07We want you to feel as if you could be in Manchester, London, Belfast, anywhere.
02:12It's been a tough process.
02:13It's been expensive.
02:15But I think we've done the right thing, and I think we've moved into a proper pub now.
02:20Their aim is to create a place that feels like a slice of home in Florida.
02:24We've got a stage which we'll do live music on each week, karaoke.
02:28Getting involved in the pub was to make it my little sanctuary, almost.
02:32When we used to come on holiday, we never used to go to an English pub.
02:35We'd never do that, would we?
02:36No.
02:37You know, we came here to live the American lifestyle.
02:39But when you are here, you do miss home.
02:42And then a big part of what we do is football.
02:44Over here, the games are on in the morning because of the time difference.
02:48So Saturday morning, Sunday morning, really busy with the games out here.
02:52Today, Martin and Bev will get to see how well the pub will be received.
02:56It's the official opening.
02:58It's a big throw of the dice for us, this.
02:59It's a gamble that we're willing to take, and we think we can pull it off.
03:03Martin and Bev have never run a pub before, so they've divided up the challenge between them.
03:08So I try to run the business, I try to get involved in everything.
03:10I like being in the kitchen a bit too much for some people, and I think that's a good example.
03:14I've always tried to do that, even when I had car sales.
03:17Most of my stuff's behind the scenes, so doing the books, which is kind of stressful,
03:21because you can see when it's going great, you can also see when it's not going great.
03:24Luckily for Martin and Bev, they have a strong staff to help them make the pub a huge success.
03:29Let me introduce you to Anne.
03:31Anne runs this place.
03:33I manage him.
03:34She manages me.
03:36And when she's not managing Martin, she has to keep tabs on another chap on the team.
03:41And Jimmy, Anne's husband, and the general dog's body, I get just told what to do,
03:47what time to do it, and where to do it.
03:49That's my job.
03:51I'm putting a sign up for him now, because he's about as much use as a chocolate player guard.
03:57Anne can cook.
03:58She's behind the bar, she's serving.
04:01She's a nut job.
04:02She really is.
04:03She's amazing.
04:04Jimmy loves all that.
04:06He'll serve, but he loves his background in the building tree.
04:10Yeah.
04:10So if something goes wrong, he loves it.
04:12That's where Jimmy dives in.
04:13No, they're really good people.
04:14They're extremely hard-working people, Jimmy and Anne.
04:18Martin and Bev will need Jimmy and Anne's help to get the pub ready for tonight's official opening at 6.
04:31The seaside town of St. Pete Beach on the Gulf Coast of Florida.
04:36Home to Dan and his family.
04:39Boys!
04:41You've got to get up.
04:44Wakey-wakey.
04:46Up.
04:47I know.
04:48All right.
04:49I'm going to have breakfast on the table in five, OK?
04:52Good luck with that, Dan.
04:53The 52-year-old Londoner made the move here just over three years ago with wife Donna.
04:58There is nothing like waking up next to the water and just...
05:02You just start your day off a lot more chilled.
05:05And they're two boys, 14-year-old Billy and 19-year-old Oliver.
05:10Oliver?
05:11Are you ready?
05:13OK.
05:14Five minutes.
05:15Because I'll have breakfast on the table.
05:17Donna works as a beauty editor and journalist.
05:20And that's how I got the visa to move over here.
05:26I've been a journalist for 25, 26 years actually now.
05:32We absolutely love it here.
05:35Dan ran the family's furniture business back in the UK and is now looking for a new career in Florida.
05:41Have you got any studying today?
05:43Yes, I've got studying today.
05:44Don't worry.
05:45I will be studying.
05:46I'll crack the whip.
05:48Dan's taking an exam to become an estate agent, a realtor, as it's called in the USA.
05:53The Florida course is the hardest in the States.
05:58So I've picked the right one to do, haven't I?
06:01I need to take the burden off Donna.
06:04She works so hard.
06:05She's such a great mum to the kids and obviously a wife to me.
06:08And she needs to relax a little bit more.
06:10And only I can do that by actually generating some income coming into the house.
06:16His exams are only a few weeks away, so the pressure is on.
06:19I'm not nervous at all, but we'll get there.
06:23Are you not?
06:23Yeah.
06:24Am I not nervous?
06:25Yeah.
06:26Do I look nervous?
06:27Well, no, you are always laid back.
06:29No, I am a little bit nervous, I must say.
06:32It's been like three months in the making.
06:34But studying and nerves will have to wait while Dan and Donna get their boys up and out of the
06:39house.
06:40Morning.
06:41Morning, mate.
06:42Nineteen-year-old Oliver is at university.
06:44You all right?
06:45Yeah.
06:47And Dan is running 14-year-old Billy to high school.
06:55I think he can do it.
06:56I think it's good for him.
06:57He's good at talking to people.
06:59I'm like the house husband, I suppose.
07:01Donna is the main breadwinner in the house, which hopefully very, very soon that would change.
07:08Cheers, buddy.
07:09Have a good day, mate.
07:10Yep.
07:10See you on that.
07:11All right.
07:11Be good.
07:12Yep.
07:12I will.
07:13Did you drop something?
07:16There he goes.
07:20The school run over, Dan heads home.
07:23I think it will mean a lot for the family to pass this exam and become a realtor.
07:28We've been over here for three and a half years now and I've not really worked.
07:32So I just need to realise that I'm not on holiday the whole time.
07:38Yep, holidays have to wait.
07:40It's time for Dan to get revised.
07:44All right.
07:45Yeah, you all right?
07:46Yeah.
07:47But not before a brew.
07:48They're British after all.
07:50There you go, Your Highness.
07:54And with that, there's no more excuses.
07:56Time for Dan to get studying so that he can get earning.
08:00Here we go.
08:00Exam time.
08:01Yep.
08:02Start selling some multi-million dollar houses.
08:17In Orlando, Anthony Fothergill lives with wife, Michelle.
08:22He works in one of the city's top hotels where he's an executive chef.
08:27Grab me one more pen, please.
08:29I've been in Florida 42 years now.
08:33I became an executive chef at the age of 29.
08:36In England, it's more of a, they call it head chef, but over here it's an executive chef.
08:40Moving definitely helped me to get to that goal, along with all the hard work.
08:45Anthony works long hours, and today is a rare day off, and a special one.
08:50About to celebrate my 60th birthday.
08:52Looking to have a lot of friends and family come over.
08:54So, who cooks for a chef on their 60th birthday?
08:58I will be cooking, even though it's my birthday, yes.
09:01Ah, it's hard as much.
09:02And what does a professional chef cook for himself at home?
09:06Le mignon.
09:06It's already seasoned.
09:08Very tender.
09:09It's a good grade.
09:10It's what you call an upper choice.
09:13These are jumbo shrimp.
09:15The sides are six to eight.
09:16The lower the number, the bigger the shrimp.
09:19So, the beef short ribs will be pan-fried, and then they'll pan and be glazed with some
09:26red wine, which I'll make a little brown sauce for it, and it'll be roasted in the oven.
09:30Their fridge may look full, but Anthony and Michelle still have some last-minute shopping to do.
09:35Did you get the red onions?
09:37Yes, I have red onions.
09:38My wife actually works in kitchens also.
09:41And she's very good at working in the kitchen.
09:43She worked with me for a while, and then we had to stop working together for obvious reasons.
09:49Married now for 11 years, the course of true love did not run smooth at first.
09:55I think I noticed Michelle before she noticed me.
09:57I think there's maybe a couple other things.
09:58We'll see when we get there.
09:59I wouldn't hold my head down.
10:01I wouldn't talk to this man.
10:02I wouldn't look at this man for no reason at all until I got a very bad burn on my
10:08hand.
10:08And I'm like, oh my God, what am I going to do?
10:11And I called somebody, and they said, okay, I know somebody who might have some burn gel or something.
10:15And they gave me his number.
10:18So she had to come to me.
10:21Then it just started from there.
10:24Anthony has worked hard all his life and missed a lot of birthdays.
10:29This is the first time I'm celebrating my birthday in many years.
10:3360 is a big birthday, so I decided to do something that I don't usually do, celebrate.
10:37I'm realizing how much more important it is to have more quality time in family.
10:41My wife, my kids.
10:43With his guests arriving in a few hours, it's time to go shopping.
10:47Where are you going to go first?
10:48Produce first.
10:49Produce first?
10:50Okay.
10:51See what we can find.
10:53Professional chef Anthony has a keen eye for the best ingredients.
10:56Try and look for a deep red and firm without any blemishes.
11:02So sometimes you have to look through quite a few of them.
11:06So this one's nice.
11:08Unfortunately, the smartest over here don't taste as good as the ones in England.
11:11I'm from Nottingham.
11:12I came to the U.S. when I was 18 years old.
11:16I had some friends that may not have been leading me in the right direction.
11:19My mom and my sister was over here, so she said I'd come to Florida.
11:22If I'd have stayed in England, my life would have been definitely different.
11:25I feel really blessed to have had an opportunity to turn things around.
11:30It was definitely a big change, but a good change for me.
11:33Oh, the pasta.
11:36Babe.
11:38Baby, the pasta.
11:39Pasta.
11:40Oh, that's right.
11:41Anthony and Michelle have worked in kitchens together before.
11:44So, will tonight be a team effort?
11:47Oh, my God.
11:48Cooking in the kitchen with Anthony.
11:50I love being by myself.
11:52We've been down most of the aisles already.
11:54Yes, he's on the aisle worthy.
11:56As much as I love having my husband in the kitchen with me, he can be controlling for me sometimes.
12:02And it's funny because I didn't realise I do it.
12:04It's just natural because I didn't work.
12:06All right, two should be good.
12:08All right, that's it, we're done.
12:11Time to check out and go back and cook.
12:13Shopping done and birthday boy Anthony needs to get home and prepare this very special dinner for his friends, family
12:19and, of course, himself.
12:31Over in St Pete Beach, aspiring realtor Dan is also cooking up a storm, preparing dinner for his wife Donna
12:37and their two boys.
12:39I really enjoy cooking.
12:41It's just something I enjoy doing on my own.
12:44My mum cooks a lot.
12:45She cooks all the time.
12:47She would always say, Dan, can you do this?
12:49Dan, can you do that?
12:49Can you help with this?
12:50Yes, and I've always done it.
12:52I spend more time in the kitchen than anyone else in the house.
12:57But I've got more time on my hands than anyone else.
13:01I suppose I am a bit of a house husband and I quite like that.
13:06Dan's fondness for the house goes back to when it was owned by his uncle.
13:10So we've got this magnet door and actually they were collected by Daniel's uncle, Billy, who we inherited the house
13:19from.
13:20Uncle Billy worked as the tour manager for rock superstar Sting, who now has pride of place in their house.
13:26He didn't have kids, but he loved spending time with Dan and the boys and he loved us coming here.
13:34So we used to visit him every summer.
13:43Billy was diagnosed with cancer in 2019.
13:47Dan came over to Florida to help care for his uncle in his final months.
13:51He went with dignity, he knew what was happening and we looked after him until the end, unfortunately.
13:58Yeah, we miss him.
14:04We owe my uncle a lot.
14:06He's done so much for us and we need to stay here and keep this house going.
14:13Miss him big time.
14:16Even with this inheritance, life as a young family in Florida is expensive.
14:21Paradise needs paying for.
14:22It's very tranquil sitting out here.
14:24It's so relaxing.
14:25It really is.
14:29I'm blessed to be where we are.
14:31I'm blessed with the family we've got.
14:33Donna is just amazing.
14:34The kids are fantastic.
14:36But we didn't realise it was so expensive.
14:38There comes a point in anyone's life where you realise that things ain't as rosy as they should be.
14:45At the end of the day, we come over here with savings and our savings are dwindling.
14:51Since moving here, Donna's been earning most of the family's income.
14:55So I'm a beauty editor, which involves writing articles, creating content online.
15:00I consult for brands as well.
15:03And she often works from home.
15:05The bathroom, to be exact.
15:06So this is our bathroom.
15:08It's one of my favourite rooms in the film.
15:10I just was so happy to have this bathroom because our bathroom in the UK was probably the size of
15:15the shower here.
15:17I do a lot of filming about beauty products for my business.
15:22So to have a bathroom of this size is perfect because I can really show how the products work.
15:29It just gives a really nice backdrop as well.
15:31So I absolutely love it.
15:32While Donna has been busy with beauty, Dan hasn't been able to work.
15:37When we first got here, Donna was on an O1 visa and I was on an O3.
15:43It meant that I couldn't physically work because I couldn't get a social security number.
15:48I couldn't work for the first at least two and a half years.
15:51But now I can and I need to do something about it now.
15:56That something is training to be a realtor and taking the necessary exams.
16:00This is all my realtor stuff here that's not been put away that will be coming back out in the
16:05next hour or so.
16:07So I can do some revision.
16:08The way of life in Florida is expensive.
16:12Very expensive.
16:14And you have to work hard to maintain this kind of life.
16:19So Dan.
16:20Over to me.
16:21You.
16:23Are going to do it.
16:24The pressure is on Dan to pass his upcoming exam.
16:35In Claremont, owner Martin and wife Bev have only four hours until the official opening of their British-themed pub.
16:43They need it to be a success.
16:45We retired.
16:46I was done.
16:46I was 44.
16:47I had enough money to live the rest of my life.
16:49And we came here thinking about COVID and it just went 20 years of a part of the world.
16:57Yeah, so, yeah, took its toll.
17:01Yeah, took its toll.
17:02Martin has enlisted Jimmy, a handyman, to help with a publicity stunt to get the customers in.
17:07So it's 25 feet by 25 feet and we're allowed to go 150 feet in the air.
17:13So we'll be able to see it from the 192.
17:15Martin wants to be certain that nobody misses the location of his new pub.
17:20So I ordered this balloon online and took a little bit of a chance.
17:24It's a big balloon.
17:25This seemed like a good idea about six weeks ago when I was at home on a Sunday evening and
17:29I thought, let's get a hot air balloon.
17:33I'm starting to realise now that it's not a great idea.
17:36The good thing is that Martin isn't an amateur when it comes to advertising.
17:41Back in the UK, I had a car dealership.
17:43I used to deal with a lot of high-profile clients, footballers, etc.
17:45So I was kind of always used to trying to make an impression, an instant impression with various advertising things.
17:51So that's where this idea came from.
17:53I'm conscious that we have to try things a little bit out of the ordinary.
17:57It's going to take a lot of pumping up to get this campaign off the ground, though.
18:02Here we go. Now we're cooking.
18:05Here we go.
18:06Here we go.
18:07With Martin's brilliant idea and Jimmy's practical skills, they're soon up and running.
18:13Here we go.
18:16Look how quickly it's going in, that.
18:17Right, I'm going to have to be conscious of keeping hold of this.
18:20Pull in there.
18:22It's not going to fly mine.
18:24My plan was to really establish ourselves, get us known, get the word out there.
18:27We're in an area for catchment for Disney World International Drive.
18:31The 192 where the Brits tend to stay in the hotels in them areas.
18:34We're on the junction of two really busy roads.
18:37And I thought if I put a hot air balloon up, I want that to be a landmark for the
18:40whole area.
18:41I would have never thought of anything stupid like this.
18:44That's why we have him.
18:46It's a good idea.
18:48You can see already people stopping and looking.
18:51I don't think we'll realise the enormity of it until it's actually up.
18:53Did you think when you moved to Florida, Jimmy, that I'd be blowing a balloon up?
18:57Yeah, no.
18:58Came here for the good life, didn't we?
18:59Yeah.
19:04Inflating a balloon in the Florida sun is thirsty work.
19:07Luckily, they have a pub on the doorstep and Anne has popped out to provide refreshments.
19:12Thank you, darling.
19:14If you could just stand there for a couple of hours, we'll build that.
19:17With precious time ticking away till the opening, how much longer does this balloon have until it's fully inflated?
19:24That's about blown up now.
19:26That's it.
19:26You can't over-inflate it either.
19:29Yeah, that's it now, isn't it?
19:31Is that lifted off the ground now, is it?
19:32No.
19:33Leave that.
19:33With the balloon up, it's only now that Martin decides where he wants to place it.
19:39We want it kind of in that prominent spot over there near the road, don't we?
19:42Or do we put it in front of our sign?
19:45And we're going to get it across there now.
19:46Walk.
19:47It's not a dog.
19:49The bloody balloon.
19:50Shall we take it over here?
19:51Yeah.
19:53And there?
19:54Yeah.
19:56There.
19:56That's got it.
19:58Good job, lads.
19:59The balloon is inflated and in the perfect spot to pull new punters into the pub.
20:04Good job, buddy.
20:05Well done.
20:05So it took a bit of a while.
20:07The balloon is now up.
20:09It's one thing I wanted to get up for the visibility off this busy main road.
20:13A little bit tricky, but I'm happy we got the job number, I think, 2017 of 3,000 today.
20:20So on to the next one.
20:22We're going to get ready for the opening tonight.
20:24And that opening is looming ever closer.
20:27So Martin needs to get a wiggle on.
20:43In Orlando, chef Anthony Fothergill is getting ready for a big catering gig.
20:48His own 60th birthday.
20:51It's a big day.
20:52And I have family and friends come in.
20:55The furthest person drove from Michigan.
20:57He drove 26 hours to be here.
21:00Got here less today.
21:02So, yeah.
21:02It's got to make sure everything's right.
21:05His wife, Michelle, and some of their friends and family are already here.
21:08And have joined him in the kitchen to watch him work and have a bit of a catch-up.
21:12A bit of a friend, Diane, of my oldest friends in America.
21:16I met you in 85?
21:17Yeah.
21:18That was a long time ago.
21:20How did I meet you?
21:20I don't know where that was.
21:21I think we were out at a club.
21:23In the beginning, when I came over, I'd seen a lot of TV shows about America and things in America.
21:29And it was a little bit scary.
21:31Because England is very small compared to just Florida.
21:34We got the rest of the U.S.
21:34It was definitely a big change, but a good change for me.
21:37You need to bring the big ribs out.
21:40Full rack of ribs.
21:41Yeah, yeah, yeah.
21:41Because we were there drinking, playing pool.
21:44While I was working.
21:45Yeah, while Tony was working.
21:47Then we just got close.
21:48Being able to celebrate this milestone with these people.
21:52I'm not trying to get choked up or anything, but I can't express how glad I am to have people
21:58around me that I love so much.
21:59And tonight, Anthony's also marking a very personal turning point for his wife, Michelle.
22:05The last five years of our life together has been very hard.
22:40Because first I was diagnosed with brain cancer.
22:42But this is a big milestone and I think having gone through a lot of the stuff with Michelle and
22:47her cancer journey, it's enabled me to open up more to do more.
22:51This today is a huge one for me.
22:54While Anthony is busy cooking, his daughter Alexa has headed out on a secret mission.
23:02My dad typically tries to celebrate his birthday, but, you know, he's a bit of a workaholic.
23:06So, I'm going to also have a bit of a surprise for him.
23:10Going to get some cake.
23:12People don't like to cook on their birthday, but, you know, my dad, of course, doing what he loves most,
23:16he's going to cook.
23:17So, getting this cake is really going to be something special for him to really show him that we appreciate
23:21him and care for him on his big day.
23:23As Alexa heads off to get his cake, back at home, Anthony's none the wiser and happily grilling.
23:29Okay, time to mark the lamb chops.
23:31Marking them, grilling them, so you get the grill marks on them.
23:34I'm not going to finish cooking it out here.
23:36I'm not going to finish in the oven.
23:37These were seasoned with tahine.
23:39Before it goes in the oven, I'm going to cut up some mint.
23:42Once it's covered and goes in the oven, that mint flavour will fermentate into the meat.
23:49The cake Alexa has ordered for her dad is no off-the-shelf number, oh no, but a handmade one
23:55from a specialist baker.
23:58Hi, Alexa.
23:59Nice to meet you.
24:00I'm good.
24:01How are you doing?
24:01Come on in.
24:02Oh, wow.
24:05I love it.
24:06It smells so good in here, too.
24:07Oh, we're baking.
24:10I love it.
24:10That's exactly what I asked for, too, the British flag on it.
24:13Awesome.
24:13It's beautiful.
24:15You're welcome.
24:15Of course, he wanted to represent what he does for a living and, of course, where he comes from, the
24:19UK.
24:21The cake loaded.
24:22It's fingers crossed that Alexa can get it back to the party in one piece.
24:27All right, let's go.
24:30Gentle, gentle.
24:32This cake better be intact when I get there.
24:34I'll be heartbroken.
24:41Over in St. Pete Beach, Dan's feeling the pressure.
24:47At the moment, I'm going back over notes.
24:51His realtor's exam is getting ever closer.
24:54I'm learning about civil and criminal penalties at the moment.
24:58I've always liked the look of the realtor game.
25:03There's a huge, huge opportunity over here.
25:06Tampa, St. Pete, St. Pete Beach, Clearwater.
25:09There's money to be earned.
25:10It's a big, big market.
25:14But Dan, well, isn't a natural student.
25:17I did find my school rapport, my headmaster.
25:22Time to think, reflect and be more mature, Daniel.
25:27Obviously, we all learn from our mistakes and my mistake is not doing so well at school.
25:34And that encouragement now has gone into my children.
25:40At the end of the day, you don't want to be 50 years old doing courses and stuff that you're
25:45not sure about.
25:46You should have all that in your head as well and just have that work ethic as well.
25:51And you've got to work hard.
25:52You don't get nothing unless you work hard for it.
25:55And my boys both know that.
25:57So, yeah.
26:01The Florida realtor exam is notoriously tough and demands a 75% mark.
26:08You'll be fine.
26:09Love you.
26:10Love you.
26:10Love you.
26:11So, Dan's hitting the road to go and learn from a qualified realtor.
26:15I'm hoping that I'm going to pass it first time.
26:19St. Pete Beach is on the Gulf Coast of Florida.
26:22We don't need sat-napped.
26:24Sat-napped are not for us.
26:26It's one of 11 islands, all linked by bridges to each other and to the mainland.
26:32Well, I think I've come the wrong way, sir.
26:35If he can find it.
26:37Ah, here we are.
26:39Hello.
26:40It's a good idea.
26:42Good night.
26:45Dan is meeting with his friend Alicia, a fully qualified and successful local realtor.
26:50It's all high-end, and then you walk out, and this is why you live in Florida.
26:56Who has given him some last-minute guidance in pricing houses before his exam.
27:03You know, awesome kitchen.
27:05Yeah.
27:07So, here is the primary, which is really nice that it's on the first floor, and it's a huge selling
27:13point.
27:13Yes.
27:14I would say that it is a great career, and it is, especially being here in Florida, there's so much
27:21opportunity.
27:23How amazing.
27:24Like, this is, this bathroom, the tile work in here is incredible.
27:28I would say that Dan's unique selling point is, is that he is from the UK, and he'll bring a
27:33lot of different perspective to the table.
27:36Today, Alicia needs to make sure Dan can confidently value a property.
27:41Electric fireplace, because you need that in Florida.
27:44This house has five bedrooms you have.
27:46The primary over here, there's another guest bedroom over on this opposite side, and then there's three bedrooms upstairs.
27:52So, let's take a look out here, because these views are awesome.
27:56It's time for Dan to test his ability to put a price on a property.
28:00All right, Dan, so, how much do you think that house is?
28:02The lot price of this, which is, say, 2.5 million, the build on that would probably be about 1
28:12.5.
28:13So, I'd say that would come up for about 5 mil.
28:16Probably.
28:17Maybe a little bit less, but, yep, you nailed it.
28:21I've passed.
28:22Not quite yet, Dan.
28:24Just need the money to pay for it.
28:26Yeah, exactly.
28:27I think Dan's going to do awesome.
28:28I think he is very knowledgeable about the area.
28:31It seems like he's studied hard, and I also know that he will be able to stay calm and be
28:36focused.
28:39No pressure, Dan.
28:40Not long to go now.
28:41Keep posted on how you do, though.
28:43We're coming to the table.
28:50In Claremont, close to Orlando.
28:54It's nearly time for the opening of Martin and Bev's brand new pub.
28:59Should we just do that, and then he can come and cut it like that?
29:01How does that look?
29:02Does it look a bit rubbish, or does it look okay?
29:04You don't need too much, because you could tape it like that.
29:07Martin and Bev have invested a lot of time and money into the pub.
29:11Their future in Florida rests on how successful it is.
29:14I've put about a quarter of a million into getting this business right, so we needed to work personally.
29:21A lot rides on this.
29:22In many ways, it's a huge draw of the dice.
29:24We grew up a brilliant business in the UK.
29:26We were very proud of what we did with that, weren't we?
29:28So this is the next part of the journey now, and I want to do the same thing here.
29:32One day, I may even open more of them, I may even franchise it.
29:35So I've got different ideas for it.
29:37It's given me a new purpose, you know.
29:38It really has.
29:39And if it doesn't work for whatever reason, we might end up back in the UK.
29:43You know, it might be as simple as that.
29:46And the American dream might finish for us.
29:49Traditional British grub is central to Martin's plans for the new pub.
29:53One thing that we do have to really overcome over here is Americans think that British food is terrible.
29:58It comes from World War II, where the GIs used to be over in the UK.
30:04They would bring back rations, essentially, of British food, tin stuff.
30:08And it's created this impression that British food is absolutely terrible.
30:11Martin knows there's one British dish that will bring the punchers in.
30:15Americans just love fish and chips, because they think that's what we eat every single day.
30:19That could be the difference between us really pushing on and failing fish and chips.
30:25It's so important it is to me.
30:26It's going to be a huge percentage of what we do, which I'm personally happy about, because I can get
30:30to myself now.
30:31See there? They're looking okay. They're looking okay.
30:34I think chippy chips, we've got one chance to get it right, because if we get it wrong, we're just
30:38going to lose business overnight.
30:40These actually look really good.
30:42They look so much better than Saturdays, anyway.
30:44I'm pretty happy with those. I think they look quite nice.
30:46Let's do a taste test. No salt and vinegar.
30:54They're good chips. They're good chips.
30:57They're good chips. I'm happy.
30:59Just to be certain that they are good chips, Martin seeks a second opinion.
31:04Taste those.
31:05Maria, come and taste these.
31:11They're good, aren't they?
31:12Mmm.
31:15That is a big win for us.
31:16Massive win. Massive.
31:18We'll be happy to serve those, won't they?
31:19Robert, Chip, Courtney.
31:20So, the chips are sorted.
31:23But there's still plenty for Martin and the gang to do before opening time.
31:41In St. Pete Beach, aspiring realtor Dan has hit the road again.
31:46This house here was beautiful, absolutely stunning.
31:53Keen to ace his upcoming exam, he wants to learn as much as possible.
31:59We're off to see a realtor friend of mine.
32:03Her name is Darlene.
32:09Darlene's not just Dan's chump.
32:11How are you?
32:12Nice to see you.
32:13If Dan can pass this exam, she's keen to hire him.
32:17How are your studies coming?
32:19We'll get there.
32:20It's a hard course.
32:21It's a hard course.
32:24So, Darlene's taking rookie Dan on a real estate tour with colleague Judy,
32:29who knows the area better than most.
32:32I think there's only one listing available out here now.
32:36They're asking $13 million.
32:37$13 million.
32:38$13 million.
32:40Well, lucky for some.
32:42Judy, who's been selling property in Florida for almost 40 years,
32:45will be Dan's direct boss if he passes.
32:49Wow.
32:49At the end of the block, on the left, would be The Rock's old house.
32:55No, not that Rock.
32:56The actor.
32:58The Rock as in the rest of the movie star.
33:01And Dwayne, The Rock Johnson's house, is not the only celebrity landmark.
33:04This is where ABBA used to live.
33:06It went up, was it last year?
33:08It went up last year for $2.5 million.
33:11And it was sold for $2.2 million.
33:13It's a bargain.
33:14Six bedrooms.
33:16Mama mia, I'll take two.
33:18With the average Florida realtor taking between 5% and 6% commission,
33:23a sale like that would provide a secure future for Dan and his family.
33:27Money, money, money.
33:29These guys know everything about real estate, and look where we are.
33:33It's just the most beautiful part of the world.
33:36It really is.
33:36We love it here, and I'd love to be selling properties here as well.
33:40And I've got a job waiting for me.
33:42It's, yeah, I'm very excited.
33:44I love it around here, and to be selling properties around here, it's just, it'll be amazing.
33:49He is guaranteed a job when he passes the exam.
33:55And a few weeks later...
33:56You'll be fine.
33:58I know.
33:58You really will be.
34:00I know, I know, I'm fine, look.
34:02No, all joking aside...
34:03I know, I know.
34:04You're going to do really well.
34:06Let me just get on with it.
34:07Just get on with it, sorry.
34:08All right, okay.
34:09I'm just, I'm in a zone.
34:10All right, okay, good luck.
34:13Right, see you after, hon.
34:19I think Dan is feeling really nervous, I can tell, because I know how he worries about
34:27things but doesn't let on, so I'm sure he's just a bit apprehensive about the whole thing,
34:33and he just probably wants to get it done.
34:36It's the day of Dan's realtor exam.
34:39I need to just go and do what I need to do, and that is passing this exam.
34:44And making my family proud of me.
34:49It was hard.
34:51No good this time.
34:54But I've got a feeling next time that I see where I, I think I see where I went wrong.
35:00It was harder than I thought it was, but, yeah, it is what it is.
35:04I gave it my all, and no luck this time.
35:10It may not be the result Dan wanted, but with a job waiting for him when he does pass,
35:15there are worse places to lick your wounds.
35:18What a gorgeous evening.
35:20I'm going to have a drink with the family on the beach now.
35:23This is my life, and I absolutely love it here.
35:29I don't want to be anywhere else but here.
35:32I've got no intention to move him back to the UK.
35:35This is me, and I will make it work.
35:46In Orlando, Anthony has been chef for his own 60th birthday party.
35:52Put the liners down so that when the food's ready, I can just put it right on top.
36:02Outside, daughter Alexa has made it back safely from picking up his surprise birthday cake.
36:10Is it still in one piece?
36:13Cool.
36:16Bit of a struggle there.
36:18So I've secured the cake.
36:19It's inside.
36:20I was able to sneak it past.
36:21Nobody saw me.
36:23Alexa's timed her return to perfection as the big birthday feast is nearly ready.
36:28We have the braised short ribs in the oven.
36:30They're finishing off now.
36:32And then the back cooking each shrimp.
36:34And then the flays will go in for five minutes or so just to cook up just a little bit
36:39more.
36:39So that they'll be more like a medium, medium well.
36:42I prefer medium, but a lot of them prefer medium well.
36:46Yeah, about 20 minutes.
36:4820 minutes is just enough time for the remaining guests to arrive.
36:51I'm good, how are you?
36:53Good, good, good, good.
36:54This is so good.
36:55Oh, thank you very much.
36:59With a final flourish, dinner is served, but not before Anthony says a few words.
37:06I just want to say thank you for everyone for coming out.
37:08It's much appreciated that you all came to celebrate my 60th.
37:11This is the first birthday I've celebrated I don't know how many years.
37:18You're probably right.
37:19But thank you and I hope everyone enjoys the food.
37:22Very few words, yes.
37:25And now it's time to eat.
37:27Lamb chops, chilling tea bass, shrimp, filet mignon.
37:33Tea bass just melts in your mouth.
37:37As everyone tucks in, Alexa and her sister Jayla go and prepare the surprise.
37:49Happy birthday to you.
37:52Happy birthday dear Andrew.
37:57Happy birthday to you.
38:01I'm glad it went hard because it looked like it was going to set the face on fire.
38:05You know how much you and Jayla love you.
38:07Yes, thank you.
38:08You're welcome, Daddy.
38:09I love you.
38:13Alexa was so good at keeping the surprise cake a secret, wife Michelle got one too.
38:19You actually ate another one.
38:24Baby, I just want to wish you a happy birthday.
38:27I'm so happy to have you in my life.
38:30Me too.
38:31I'm so grateful.
38:32Hi.
38:33Happy birthday, baby.
38:34Thank you, ma'am.
38:35You want me to help you?
38:37You're a ticker to me.
38:39Thank you very much.
38:40You're welcome.
38:43Being 60 is definitely a milestone.
38:47I'm feeling good.
38:49I'm feeling blessed to have so many people around me that care about me.
38:52I'm choked up by all of the emotions and the support and almost had me in tears.
39:01All right, cheers to everyone.
39:02Cheers.
39:02Cheers.
39:04Thank you for coming up.
39:05We truly appreciate it.
39:08When I first moved to Florida, I had no idea what to expect.
39:12I was young.
39:13I was 18.
39:14I was not sure what was going to happen.
39:16But perseverance, friends, family have brought me through.
39:20And I don't think many people realize, actualize their dreams.
39:23And thank God I'd be able to actualize mine.
39:31Twenty miles away, it's six o'clock.
39:34The official opening time of Martin and Bev's new pub.
39:39Let's get everyone outside.
39:41And Martin's guest of honor has arrived.
39:43Ann, the unicorn's here.
39:44Oh, he's the unicorn.
39:46Hey, the unicorn's here.
39:49What?
39:50We've actually got a unicorn arriving.
39:52A real live unicorn.
39:55No, it's a pony in a hat.
39:56Surely.
39:58If you've never seen a real unicorn, you're in for a surprise.
40:03But that's not going to stop Ann.
40:06Chips.
40:07Chips are American chips.
40:09Yay!
40:11And to declare the best of British pub open, what could be more appropriate than a knight in shining armor?
40:17So I'm thinking to cut the ribbon, why don't we ask Sir William?
40:21English knight.
40:22English knight of the realm.
40:23Let's do it.
40:24Okay, let's do it.
40:24Let's go.
40:26Even if he's actually American.
40:28He hasn't got his sword.
40:29Sorry, I don't have my sword, only my sharp wit.
40:33How are you, darling?
40:34How are you?
40:35I'm good.
40:35I'm going to be really embarrassed if I try and break this ribbon and it doesn't break.
40:39Okay, guys.
40:41Thank you to each and every one of you for coming out tonight.
40:43This is a big day for us.
40:45It's took a lot of hard work to get here.
40:47We really hope you like what we've done to the place.
40:50Thank you so much for your support.
40:52We really appreciate it.
40:53And I'm going to ask Sir William to come and cut the ribbon with his mighty Excalibur.
40:59Let's get this place open.
41:00We ready?
41:01Everyone ready?
41:02Here we go.
41:03Yay!
41:04Yay!
41:07Thank you, guys.
41:08We did it.
41:09Yeah, well done.
41:10Don't go tight.
41:11That's good, huh?
41:12That was good.
41:13Thank you so much.
41:15The pub is officially open and now it can start bringing in those much-needed dollars.
41:21Just a proper British pub.
41:22And it feels like a pub.
41:24When you walked in, it felt like home.
41:27I don't know that it's necessarily that it's British that drew us in, but from the moment
41:32we walked in, it was like they made us part of their family.
41:35It's nice to get a little bit of home here in Florida.
41:39I've been here for 23 years and it's nice to get this British fill for a bar, which you
41:43don't usually get in Florida.
41:45The punters are happy and enjoying the pub.
41:48It must be music to Martin's ears.
41:51It's been brilliant.
41:52It does.
41:52And most of it's gone right.
41:54Boom!
41:54The balloon went up.
41:55It kind of makes you a little bit emotional and it's kind of heartwarming as to the response
41:59we've got.
41:59Yeah.
42:00We're in one of the most magical places on earth, you tell us.
42:02Yeah.
42:02And it is.
42:03This is an amazing place to be.
42:05We're lucky to live here and for us to give people a little taste of home makes us so happy.
42:09That's what it's all about.
42:10We're lucky to live here.
42:40We're lucky to live here and for us to live here and for us to live here and for us
42:40to live here and for us to live here and for us to live here and for us to live
42:40here and for us to live here and for us to live here and for us to live here and
42:40for us to live here and for us to live here and for us to live here and for us
42:40to live here and for us to live here and for us to live here and for us to live
42:40here and for us to live here and for us to live here and for us to live here and
42:40for us to live here and for us to live here and for us to live here and for us
42:40to live here and for us to live here and for us to live here and for us to live
42:40here and for us to live here and for us to live here and for us to live here and
42:40for us to live here and for us to live here and for us to live here and for us
42:40to live here and for us to live here and for us to live here and for us to live
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