A Place in the Sun presenter Ben Hillman was forced to resort to begging to get potential buyers to view a property.
Ben was trying to find the ideal property for house-hunter Martine in France in Tuesday’s edition of the Channel 4 show.
But the host was left gobsmacked as Martine, who was viewing properties with her son Remi, brutally rejected Ben to begin with.
Martine did eventually view the property, but not until persuasive Ben had been forced to plead with the mum to give it a go.
Ben explained: “It’s a sought-after place to be. Not every place we can find on budget benefits from outdoor space.
“So, what you gain in one you lose in another, and I think that’s what we are battling against here.”
Martine was viewing a house on the island of Oleron, with a £125,000 budget up her sleeve for a two-bedroom property with garden.
But she looked decidedly unimpressed when they pitched up at one of her viewings and Ben tried to get to her see the potential on offer.
“You look unhappy,” said Ben, to which she replied: “I am disappointed.”
The presenter then begged: “Will you at least go inside and just have a look at it? For me?”
After a brief wait Martine begrudgingly agreed to view the house, but after less than a couple of minutes her and her son swiftly left the property, ruling it out of contention.
The first property Ben took the duo to was a two-bed house, although it was priced at £130,000 which was over the house-hunter’s budget.
“I’m very impressed,” Martine said before they had even stepped foot inside.
However, the house needed some work on it and the mother and son were not that impressed and rejected the property.
Martine felt the house was located too far away from local amenities and Remi had concerns about a steep staircase.
The second property was a bungalow with a private garden, but it was again slightly over budget. This, though, also proved not to be a contender for the fussy pair.
But Ben got it right third time lucky, which Martine instantly fell in love with.
She registered her interest in the property and both her, her sone and Ben at least had something to smile about on their testing house-hunting journey.
However, despite falling in love with the third holiday home, she explained to Ben she needed more time to think about it.
“I have registered my interest with the estate agent,” she explained. “And I’m going to come back in two weeks time.”
