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A Place In The Sun star Jean Johansson cried after filming momentous Black to Front episode

Jean Johansson fronts the episode on Friday for Black to Front (Picture: Channel 4)

A Place In The Sun host Jean Johansson became emotional as filming wrapped on her episode for Channel 4’s Black to Front day.

On Friday Channel 4 is airing a special run of programmes highlighting Black talent both in front of and behind the camera.

Some of the highlights to look forward to include the return of Big Breakfast, fronted by Mo Gilligan and AJ Odudu, and a special episode of Hollyoaks.

Although A Place In The Sun is not a new programme, Jean recognised how momentous it was when filming finished in Marbella, Spain, with a Black woman – Karen Chambers – directing for the first time.

Jean told Metro.co.uk: ‘We had a great great Black director on that show as well, first female Black director. They’re very rare and she has blown it out the water with her episode.

‘We had a little tear in our eyes at wrap just because it meant a lot to us personally.

‘We’re gonna be Whatsapping each other when the episode goes out and then having a little celebratory drink just to mark the day more than the episode. Just being part of a day her and I couldn’t have dreamed of when we were younger.’

She continued: ‘There was a lot going on for us personally. It’s such a great episode and I hope everyone’s gonna love it.’

Jean heads to Marbella with house hunters Clement and Tracey-Anne from Croydon in South London (Picture: Channel 4)

The episode will see Jean show Croydon couple Clement and Tracey-Anne, who are hoping to find their dream holiday home in Marbella.

Jean noted that the programme doesn’t often have Black couples appear, and feels the possibility of encountering racism in another country might play into any hesitancy they may have.

However she urged Black people not be put off from following their dream, noting that people in the countries she has been to have been ‘welcoming’.

‘I had to look into myself to answer those questions. Maybe subconsciously they don’t feel they’re welcome on daytime TV or they don’t feel they’ll be welcome in Spain, Italy, France etc and that’s just not true,’ Jean shared.

‘I’ve had a couple of Jamaican Londoners that I went had dinner with. They moved to Spain and are having the time of their lives. She’s the president of their community.

More: Channel 4

‘There’s gonna be racists everywhere. You should not be put off getting up and having your dream. It hurts me to think a couple could be sat at home and thinking, “We’ll go back to where our family are or where there’s predominantly Black people”. Of course you’ll be welcomed in Spain, France, Italy, Cyprus.

‘We’re not ramming it down people’s throats. People like Clement and Tracy-Ann, that dream is there for you too. I just don’t want anyone to feel scared of that.’

The TV star added: ‘I’ve had bad experiences in Europe, I’ve had bad experiences in Glasgow, Manchester, Edinburgh and New York. I wouldn’t want anyone to feel like they need to be scared of the racism element if they want to relocate or have a holiday home.’

A Place In The Sun airs Friday at 3pm on Channel 4.

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