Escape to the Country's Nicki Chapman's life from mogul husband to stunning home

02 November 2023 , 14:00

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Escape to the Country's Nicki Chapman's life from mogul husband to stunning home

Television presenter Nicki Chapman first rose to fame as a judge on Pop Idol, and has been helping buyers find their dream homes for nearly 20 years on BBC's Escape to the Country. Away from the cameras, it seems she lives a rather glamorous life in her Chiswick home with her music mogul husband - though the 56-year-old counts her blessings every single day.

Nicki admitted earlier this year that she 'lives in fear' of her brain tumour returning, after undergoing surgery to remove the 'golf ball-sized' lump in 2019. "Fortunately, my experience was a good one, my recovery was amazing, but I still take one day at a time," she told the Mirror, adding: "I'm a very positive person, so to always put a positive spin on life has helped keep me going."

Nicki is best known for her role presenting BBC's Escape to the Country (Instagram)

The television star has been married to husband Dave for 24 years (Instagram)

The BBC Radio 2 host has largely kept her private life out of the spotlight, but said she felt compelled to share her illness with the public so that others in the same position wouldn't feel so alone. "I decided to speak out after my operation as I felt not only had I received the best care I could have asked for from my local hospital and the NHS, but also that my story may help others going through something similar," she explained. Nicki paid thanks to her husband, music executive Dave 'Shacky' Shackleton, for his amazing support during that time.

The couple met while they both worked for RCA Records. In 1999, they tied the knot and remain happy in love, with Nicki regularly posting photos on Instagram to mark their anniversary. On their 22nd anniversary two years ago, Nicki shared her adoration for Dave and her garden in one, writing: "We married two days after his birthday so neither of us can ever forget the date!! Sizzling hot day at Syon House. Best day of my life. Feels just like yesterday. [Photo] taken on Wednesday night. His birthday celebration and an England win. Peeps normally post romantic pics from exotic locations. We've gone for our back garden in West London."

The duo's stunning house in Chiswick is by far Nicki's proudest property job. She calls it her 'oasis' and recently refurbished her back garden to create a tranquil space to work from home. Her open-plan kitchen has a television, sky lights and a large dining table that seats 10, and Nicki describes it as a "beautiful, open, spacious communal area". She has said she "always has one project going on each year", whether it's repainting the hallway or planting new hydrangeas outside.

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She has a stunning home in West London with a large open-plan kitchen (Instagram)

Nicki and Dave met when they both worked for RCA Records in the nineties (Instagram)

In an interview with House Beautiful Magazine last year, she shared how important it is for her to feel at peace and comfortable when she returns from a long day at work. "I love my house, but it's also a home. It's not a showpiece," she said. Nicki revealed her most prized belongings are her beautiful paintings from Sheffield artist Pete McKee, which hang on the wall side by side. "He did some personalised pictures of my husband and I, and they're probably my most treasured possessions at home," she said.

Though her most unique interior object is her 'panic room', which is technically a huge wooden chest with storage space underneath. "We've got bird food, cushions and blankets inside. I call it the panic room because if anything ever happened, we would dive into it," she explained. While much of the inside of her home looks expensive and luxurious, Nicki admitted that she prefers to go for "middle-range carpet", explaining that the "cheapest carpet is not going to last you and you'll probably get bored with the most expensive one".

All of her rooms are effortlessly stylish with lots of white furnishings, wooden accents and colourful rugs and cushions, as well as gold and green walls. But it's her garden that is the most impressive - complete with plenty of shrubs and greenery, a modern terraced area and outdoor sofas. She even has Wi-Fi outside, so she can work surrounded by birds, bees and the trees. In a post on her Instagram, Nicki explained: "This small but beautiful garden has helped keep me happy over the past 13 years, more than ever in 2020. Proudest moment was when we were able to film in it for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. I gave myself a gold medal. It's my escape, my sanctuary, my special place."

Nia Dalton