Escape To The Country viewers raged 'are you kidding me?!' as they shared their furious complaints just minutes into the Christmas episode on Sunday.

The latest instalment of the BBC programme saw Sonali Shah, 45, meet a couple called Nicky and Gavin, who wanted to find their dream home in Dorset for £550,000.

The pair were keen to move away from Southampton because their kids had grown up and they wanted a change.

They had a number of things that Sonali had to tick off the list, including finding a property that had three bedrooms.

But the instalment left a number of fans reeling because the episode originally aired back in April 2022, and many were expecting a celebrity special instead.

Some TV guides stated that it was Linford Christie's special, while some said that it was the Dorset episode.

Escape To The Country viewers raged 'are you kidding me?!' as they shared their furious complaints just minutes into Christmas episode on Sunday

Some TV guides stated that it was Linford Christie's special, while some said that it was the Dorset episode from 2022

Many took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to complain. 

'#escapetothecountry What happened to today's advertised episode?'

'BBC really spoiling us this evening with an episode of #escapetothecountry from 2021.'

'#escapetothecountry 4 year old programme repeat. Sunday night entertainment at its best………'

'This isn’t the advertised episode???' 

Linford's episode previously aired on Christmas Eve last year.

The synopsis read: 'On your marks for an Escape To The Country of Olympic proportions, as Linford Christie, Britain’s most decorated sprinter, heads down the track towards the countryside for a slower way of life. 

'Enlisting the property expertise of Alistair Appleton as well as the support of his daughter Briannah, they tour a range of stunning homes in the rolling hills of the Chilterns. 

Linford's episode previously aired on Christmas Eve last year 

Many viewers took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share their frustration over the episode that aired on Sunday

'The trio also take a trip along the Thames at one of the world’s most elegant country homes and cook up a storm with an exclusive outdoor dining experience, fully immersing themselves in the Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire countryside. 

'Linford considers whether the tranquility of rural life can compete with the convenience of the town.'