Wife Swap

The Duncans and the Bonnars

Watch this episode now on 4oD Wife Swap, Stoke-on-Trent

Michele Duncan thinks nothing of cleaning her Stoke-on-Trent house from top to bottom for eight hours each day; even brandishing a toothbrush to remove every last speck of grime from the cooker. Then, as the breadwinner, she's off on night shifts at her local garage.

Michele's partner Nigel Austin and his stepchildren Sian (14) and Steven (11) aren't allowed to lift a finger to help. Michele likes kids to be kids and, in any case, she doubts the others would do a decent job if they did help.

Meanwhile, in Hampshire, Tracy Bonnar lives with her husband Paul and children River, Indiana and Canyon. Tracy runs a business empire, juggling the running of a gym, salon and jewellery business, along with her home, where everyone is expected to pull their weight. And she's a great believer in me-time, with a passion for riding.

What happens when Tracy imposes her management skills on Michele's family? And how does Michele cope with a radically different lifestyle in Hampshire? Will she be returning home as the chilled woman that Nigel would love her to be? As Tracy and Michele swap homes and families, there's a revelation in store that has one of them looking at her life in a whole new light.

On TV

First Shown

Date Time Channel
Sunday 26 July 2009 8PM Channel 4

Last Shown

Date Time Channel
Friday 31 July 2009 10PM E4

Music from the episode

Played Track Artist Label
0:00:00 Happy Heart Version B Library Contributors Kpm
0:01:46 Prime Mover Library Contributors Audio Networks Plc
0:02:24 Cassette Single Fujiya,Miyagi Gronland
0:03:40 Gladsome Girl Library Contributors Audio Networks Plc
0:05:39 Twists And Turns 2 Library Contributors Audio Networks Plc
0:14:00 All I Need Library Contributors Audio Networks Plc
0:14:30 Clumpy Jack Library Contributors Audio Networks Plc
0:15:54 Caribbean Jive Library Contributors Audio Networks Plc
0:17:08 City Folk Library Contributors West One Music Ltd
0:18:31 Road To Nowhere Library Contributors Audio Networks Plc
0:19:56 Inner Dream Library Contributors Audio Networks Plc
0:26:36 A Class Library Contributors West One Music Ltd
0:27:24 Lullaby Max Richter Fat Cat Records
0:27:53 Rememberance Library Contributors Audio Networks Plc
0:31:01 Bound Library Contributors West One Music Ltd
0:34:04 Carrot Rope Library Contributors Domino
0:37:02 Bumper Car Library Contributors Audio Networks Plc
0:40:01 Ray Of Sunshine Library Contributors West One Music Ltd
0:42:54 Life's A Beach Library Contributors Audio Networks Plc
0:44:12 The Big Stare Out Library Contributors Audio Networks Plc
0:44:33 Lonesome Trail Library Contributors Audio Networks Plc
0:50:55 Ross's Song Paul Osman And Canyon Leacock N/A
0:52:18 Devil's Rock Library Contributors Audio Networks Plc

This data is supplied by a third party. Any errors are not the responsibility of Channel 4.

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Comments

  1. Omg Tracey think again about tryin to coax me into skydiving, Haahaa, I Definatley Agree With What Most People Say, and i Got Alot From The Experience, i wouldn't change it for anything and the memories will stay with me forever, thanks to everyone involved, and who have watched and commented etc :) Me and Tracey will definatley stay close friends, and she's a damn good hard worker, who could inspire anybody to do anything, as she has already proved this. She's like a friend who ive seemed to know all my life, all her children (Canyon, River And Indiana) and her husband are amazing, and a credit to her, im proud of both our families achievements in many different ways, thanks for everything xx
    Posted by Michele Duncan on 11/08/2009 23:22:26
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  2. its sian who taken part in the show, and i agree with everything tracey said and cant wait too go skydiving next year with becky and taz (Y), and filming for the show was amazing, we all got on really well with the crew and felt like apart of the family, and i wouldnt change anything that happened thanks for everything guys :) Becky- Woo! love sian michele :D. I Watched At There House Cus Im Hardcoree !! xx
    Posted by Siaann And Becky :) on 05/08/2009 18:11:21
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  3. By far the best episode of Wife Swap I've seen. Two thoroughly decent families willing to accept a new view on things. My only criticism is that it failed to satisfy the 'trash' element of my trash tv addiction. Whilst all the other epsodes in the series left me slightly uneasy about the future of British society, this one left me with a buzz. Good honest parents who love their kids and want the best for them and who didn't convert to infants when faced with a disruption to their safe routines, as well as good-hearted, well mannered kids who are a credit to their parents, and who will hopefully make future generations of the show much more like this episode. NOTE TO PRODUCERS: I like this type of format rather than the usual chav-tastic muck! I wish the Bonnars and the Duncans all the best.
    Posted by andypooz on 03/08/2009 00:01:59
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  4. Whilst aware that "Wife Swap" is regularly on television, I do not normally watch it and have certainly never felt the need to comment on a show. This episode was particularly good and addressed important issues that were not obvious from the start. Both families, whilst very different, were clearly loving. Both Tracy and Michele were sincere in their commitment to make a difference for their respective "swaps" and both showed real integrity of spirit. It was very moving to witness their journey thoughfully edited within the programme and touching to observe the empathy that they had for each other. Excellent television - entertaining, enlightening and thought provoking. Thank you.
    Posted by Joshua Hosier on 31/07/2009 00:03:06
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  5. A big thank you to the producers! Michele and I thoroughly enjoyed filming this episode of Wife Swap. Pairing our families was a thoughtful match and not what one might normally expect from the program. We have all enjoyed the experience and feel the final edited show is a very good representation of the events that took place. Since meeting on Wife Swap, Michele and I have become very good friends and visit each other regularly. Canyon continues to enjoy a better relationship with Paul. Sian still rides horses and has become a very competent rider, while Steven is quite an entrepreneur and enjoys counting his earnings! Michele still works hard but plays more now - she has made some positive lifestyle changes... passed her Management Course at work, passed her driving test and is looking great... I'm talking her into a skydive now! As for me... still working hard, contemplating home educating River and Indiana and playing a lot too with horses, motorbikes and photography. Thank you again - we have all made some wonderful memories and friends.
    Posted by Tracy Bonnar on 29/07/2009 03:48:16
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  6. good Series ... Theyy Helped Each other to give a great impact on eachothers life styles. From A Stokeyy! :)
    Posted by Remi on 28/07/2009 01:12:43
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  7. good Series ... Theyy Helped Each other to give a great impact on eachothers life styles. stoke! woop! stokey n proud !
    Posted by Remi on 28/07/2009 01:11:26
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  8. An interesting program and it seems a learning experience for all participants. Perhaps it is a good idea sometimes to have a complete outsider look at your life, because he/she might find the solution for the problems you can't seem to solve. Very inspiring indeed!
    Posted by Christina on 27/07/2009 10:09:36
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  9. A good programme - the two families went through learning experiences together rather like family therapy. The "wives" both learnt from and taught each other, as well as the partners and kids, making a real difference to both families. Best of all there was a lot of love and lot of inspiration for change all round. A courageous thing to do for both families but it helps us all. (from a friend of Tracy's who is also a Child and Family PPsychiatrist)
    Posted by Sandy on 27/07/2009 10:02:08
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  10. What a refreshing change, it was great to see that the series had such a positive affect on both families. I am not a regular viewer of the series, however this was a great advertisment for the show. Have to admit that after watching and taking something from what both wives had to offer I felt inspired myself. Thank you Michele, Tracy and C4.
    Posted by moorlie on 26/07/2009 21:01:40
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Friday 27 November

10PM, E4

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