Owners of In The Stix in Rutland to appear on Channel 4 show Four in a Bed next week
A couple who run a glamping site say they will be watching themselves on TV show Four in a Bed next week with “dreaded anticipation”.
Alex Cowie, 44, and Darren Blackwell, 46, are set to feature on the popular Channel 4 programme from Monday (April 13) after being asked to appear last year.
They run In The Stix, a five-star camping spot in Greetham, Rutland, which boasts fully-furnished luxury dome ‘tents’ complete with wood-burners and hot tubs.
They filmed for the show last June thinking the weather would likely be good - only for the area to be lashed by torrential rain on the days of recording.
The couple, who have three children between them, received a call last week to say their show was finally due to be aired.
“We’ve been waiting and waiting for it to come up with dreaded anticipation and finally it’s almost time!” said Alex.
“The weather was dreadful - it just didn’t stop raining. Of course we thought if we went for a June slot it would be lovely… how wrong we were!”
She added: “With the situation as it is at the moment it’s a bit of a nightmare because we are closed. But apparently with everyone at home the ratings have doubled!
“The main reason anybody does this show is because you want your place to be seen so from that perspective it’s good but it’s even more nerve-racking knowing so many people are watching!
“Hopefully we come across okay and can do our bit for Rutland tourism as well!”
The show sees four B&B-owning couples compete by staying at each other’s properties and judging their experience before an overall winner is crowned.
Producers have recently been casting the net wider to include glamping sites, even though most are self-catering.
Alex and Darren spent two weeks filming in Rutland, Wales and Yorkshire - a process that was far more demanding than they expected.
Overseen by a TV crew of around 15 people, they had to travel between the different B&Bs, record interviews and be ready for filming any time between 7am and midnight.
“Darren jokes that the highlight was being able to sleep in our own bed at the end of the two weeks!” said Alex, whose only other dalliance with television was an appearance on Antiques Roadshow with Fiona Bruce several years ago.
“It was definitely interesting going out to see other places but it was a lot tougher than we thought it was going to be.”
Alex said they had a fairly laid-back approach compared to some who appear on the show.
“We definitely weren’t the couple who go in with white gloves on running their fingers across surfaces!” she said.
“There are always some colourful characters! Generally everyone was really lovely though and we’ve all stayed in touch.”
The couple were also surprised that the contestants hadn’t heard of Rutland or Rutland Water before they arrived for their stay.
“It’s actually amazing how many people we have from all around the country who’ve never heard of them,” added Alex. “It’s opened our eyes so we want to do our tourism bit and put Rutland on the map so people come here.”
She and Darren are hopeful the business will survive the current coronavirus lockdown and people will be keen to book a holiday once it’s all over.
“We are normally so popular and are booked out solidly through July and August, so it’s sad looking at the calendar at the moment,” said Alex.
“We just don’t know how long this will continue. If it did end in time for July we would hope people will be desperate to get out the house and visit us! We’ll just have to see what happens though.”
For more information visit www.inthestix.co.uk or search for In The Stix on social media.
Tributes paid to respected Rutland businessman who died from coronavirus
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