Created by Gavin Hay and Remy Blumenfeld, the owners of Brighter Pictures Ltd, in 2003 the BBC 2 embarked on a series, which would have effects throughout the nation. Gavin and Remy co created an 8-part series whereby they helped people leave Britain for a new life abroad. Inspired by the4 co creators real life situation, which lead them to relocate in San Fransisco with a weeks warning, the show illustrated how possible it is to rebuild your life positively and quickly.
Fronted by two property and relocation experts, Melissa Porter and Scott Huggins Get a New Life struck a cord with the nation. Amazingly some 150,000 people a year leave Britain permanently. Each week 3 million people tuned in to watch eight families relocate abroad often to a new life in the sun.
In 2004 the series made a comeback this time on a grander scale, 12 episodes helping 12 families relocate. This programme had such a rippling effect that a dedicated programme about it and relocation was made giving the staggering statistic that 47% of people in Britain would like to relocate abroad within the next 3 years.
The programme offered people the chance to try the relocation for a month with their living expenses paid and then had the option to return home or stay at the end of it. There were many far-off places including Australia, Spain, New Zealand and even chilly Canada.
Get A New Life was so successful for BBC2 that Controller Jane Root ordered more than 100 episodes of the show and follow up show which was broadcast at 18:00 on the channel.
