A Place in the Sun’s Jean Johansson helped a Welsh couple find their dream Costa del Sol home in memory of Joanne’s late brother Matt.

The host also grew emotional after hearing of the tragedy (Image: Channel 4)

An A Place in the Sun presenter was moved to tears while discussing a heartbreaking family loss.

During a repeat episode broadcast on Wednesday, 10th June, a Welsh couple enlisted the help of host Jean Johansson in their search for a holiday home on the Costa del Sol.

Former bodybuilder Darren and his wife Joanne had a deeply personal motivation behind their decision to purchase a Spanish property, wanting somewhere perfect for their three children and wider family.

They were also driven to find a home after Joanne’s brother Matt tragically died, with one of their final conversations seeing him encourage them to “live the dream”.

Joanne emotionally told Jean: “My brother sadly passed away ten years ago and one of our last conversations was that I had to make sure that we have as much fun as possible and live the dream with our children,”

Former bodybuilding champion Darren and his wife Joanne were on the hunt for a holiday home (Image: Channel 4)

“Because he loved the beach and being abroad so much we thought this would be the perfect way to honour his memory.”

After viewing several properties, with a budget of £205,000, the pair submitted an offer of £170,000 on one apartment they were keen to extend.

At that moment, Joanne revealed: “I do feel emotional, I just know this is what my brother would want and I am sure he is just looking down now with a big smile on his face.”

While their initial offer was turned down, their second bid of £178,000 was accepted, reducing Joanne to tears.

Host Jean Johansson was keen to find them a property in Costa del Sol (Image: Channel 4)

Breaking down, she said: “This is for you, Matt!” Expressing her gratitude to Jean, she continued: “We can now live the dream in my brother’s memory.

“The family can come here and think about him, my mum and dad just feel so close to Matt when we are at the beach and they can come here anytime they want now!”

Visibly moved, Jean responded: “I am so happy, I’ve never been happier for a couple.”

Raising a toast, Joanne declared: “To Matthew and the family, and to living the dream!”

The A Place in the Sun star broke down in tears after the devastating family death (Image: Channel 4)

Jean added to the camera: “That was an emotional end to an exciting search, Darren and Joanne have the dream property for them and the whole family, and I know they are going to have loads of amazing holidays here in Malaga.”

Speaking after the episode originally aired in May 2024, Joanne told A Place In The Sun that they were “definitely living the dream”.

She said they get very emotional when they walk through the door, as the home is so linked to her brother, who loved the beach, but tragically died of cancer at the age of 27.

“We’ve taken out all the children and showed them the places we visited on the TV show, such as Lake Vinuela,” Joanne said.

“It already feels like home and I’d say we are definitely living the dream.”