A Place In The Sun host Jasmine Harman has shared a tribute to Annette Kilgore, a participant on the show who is feared to be among the Britons killed in recent wildfires in Spain. The blaze, which began late last Thursday near the Sierra de Los Filabres mountains, has led to the deaths of five Britons, with authorities continuing identification efforts.
Kilgore and her husband, Malcolm Timbrell, who appeared on the show in 2023 after moving from Cornwall to Spain, were living in the village of Bédar in Almeria province. Timbrell recounted how he and his wife, along with seven neighbors, attempted to flee their home as flames advanced. He described how they decided to walk in front of the fire line, a decision he believes was fatal for his wife and neighbors due to the fire's rapid progression.
Timbrell, 70, took refuge in an abandoned car as the fire engulfed others around him. He survived the blaze and was later rescued by emergency services. He expressed his devastation and uncertainty about how to cope with the loss, stating he was awaiting DNA clarification.
Harman took to Instagram to offer her condolences to Timbrell, writing, "I couldn't imagine what you are going through right now. Sending thoughts and prayers." She acknowledged the tragic deaths of several people in Bédar and extended her sympathies to those who lost loved ones.
The couple had appeared on A Place In The Sun seeking a dream property. Presenter Leah Charles-King helped them find a Spanish stone cottage for approximately £200,000. During the episode, Annette Kilgore expressed her desire to embrace the Spanish lifestyle after retiring from a career in mental health.
In addition to Kilgore and Timbrell, other British nationals are confirmed among the victims. These include an elderly woman who died in hospital and the expat couple Pete and Fran Gillam. Photographs have emerged showing charred vehicles on dirt tracks near Bédar, where multiple fatalities occurred, suggesting some victims were trapped while attempting to evacuate.