Sarah Beeny, the TV personality and renovation expert, is currently gracing our screens in Sarah Beeny’s New Life in the Country on Channel 4.
The property expert has been a fixture on British television for years, offering her expertise on shows like Property Ladder, How to Live Free, Village SOS, Fifth Gear, and Four Rooms.
Sarah Beeny’s New Life in the Country documents her family’s transition from London to a derelict former dairy farm in Somerset over five years ago, and their journey in transforming it into their dream home.
However, away from the cameras, the 52-year-old has faced a well-documented fight against breast cancer.
Sarah Beeny’s health battle
Editorial use onlyMandatory Credit: Photo by Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock (13950628i)Sarah Beeny’This Morning’ TV show, London, UK – 06 Jun 2023 (Image: Ken McKay/ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
In August 2022, Sarah Beeny revealed that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer and was set to undergo surgery and radiotherapy. After a challenging year of treatment, which included a mastectomy and intensive radiotherapy and chemotherapy, she joyfully announced in April 2023 that she was cancer-free.
her battle with cancer was also documented in Sarah Beeny vs Cancer, which received high praise from Channel 4 viewers.
In October 2023, Sarah Beeny showed her support for Yeovil Town as the club raised funds for Yeovil Hospital Charity through their Paint the Park Pink campaign. With a limited edition pink kit, the campaign managed to raise £40,000.
Opening up to OK! magazine, Sarah Beeny lauded her spouse Graham Swift for the unwavering support he’s shown throughout her battle with cancer.
She reflected: “There are bumps along the way in life and marriage – it’s not all plain sailing. But during my cancer treatment, Graham was absolutely as I’d expected him to be – great, because he’s a good man.
“I don’t have a husband who will come in with tea trays, I don’t have a butler! But I don’t want one, I’d find that annoying. Whenever he’s needed to step up, he’s stepped up, and that was one of those times.”
Why Sarah Beeny has never said ‘love you’ to husband
Property expert Sarah Been and Graham Swift outside Rise Hall in East Yorkshire (Image: Hull Daily Mail)
Sarah Beeny is happily married to Graham Swift—her partner since she was 19 and he was 18. The couple have raised a family of four sons: Billy, 20; Charlie, 18; Laurie, 16; and Rafferty, 15.
Adding to their close-knit ties, Sarah’s brother is wed to Graham’s sister, Caroline.
Beeny disclosed peculiarities of her relationship with her husband during an intimate interview with Prima Magazine. Despite their deep bond, they curiously avoid saying “I love you” to each other, a practice stemming from what she perceives as an overuse of the phrase by others.
Sharing insights into their affectionate way of life, Sarah said, “I’m married to my best friend. I don’t know what our secret is, but I think having a spark of the child in you helps. I met Graham when I was 19 and he was 18.
“We used to laugh at friends who would say ‘I love you’ after one date and then dump them the next day, so not saying it became an inside joke. To this day, we’ve never officially said it.”
Inside Sarah Beeny’s home in stunning countryside
OK! Magazine Exclusive at-home shoot with Sarah Beeney, husband Graham Swift and sons Billy, Charlie, Rafferty and LaurieTuesday 31st December 2024 – Week 1ALL RIGHTSRetouched Approved High ResFOR ONLINEPhotographer: Nicky JohnstonPhotographer’s assistant: Max SpannerStyling: Tess wright Hair: Jodie KeenaghanMakeup: Charlotte FalberVideo: Imade Osagiede (Image: OK! Magazine /Nicky Johnston)
Sarah Beeny, alongside her husband Graham and their four sons, has created a breathtaking family abode nestled within 220 acres of Somerset’s idyllic countryside near Stoney Stoke by Bruton.
The residence, a labour of love crafted by Sarah and her spouse Graham Swift, is spacious enough to accommodate their penchant for collecting, boasting rooms adorned with antique bookshelves, inviting sofas, and even some unconventional treasures – such as Sarah’s treasured bespoke toilet cistern.
“[It’s] a brass toilet cistern with Swift and Beeny Sanitary Engineers printed on it – it’s lavish and ridiculous,” she told with amusement. “We brought it from our old house.”
This year has been a whirlwind of activity for Sarah, who has been converting a Wincanton barn into Stokeford Studios, a versatile venue for art happenings and film projects. Meanwhile, her children and Graham have formed a band named The Entitled Sons, making waves locally with their performances.
Their musical prowess was evident when they attracted a “huge crowd” at Glastonbury Festival in 2023, earning Sarah’s praise for their “hard-working” efforts.
Family tragedy
Pictured: Sarah Beeny in her greenhouse sitting on a table with cup of tea (Image: Nicky Johnston)
Family tragedy struck Sarah Beeny at the tender age of 10 when she lost her mother Ann to breast cancer. Speaking to OK! Magazine, the property expert reflected on how this early loss profoundly shaped her perspective on life and the importance of home.
She mused: “Home is really important for me. But it’s not about how it looks, it’s about how it makes people feel.
“My mum died when I was quite young and I’ve been sentimental since then. I’ve released myself from some of it now – and I’ve realised that my kids aren’t sentimental at all.”