London24NEWS

TALK OF THE TOWN: Sherlock star Benedict and the thriller of his empty £8m property

When Benedict Cumberbatch bought an £8.1 million country estate, villagers were thrilled at the prospect of having a film star join the illustrious neighbourhood.

But it seems the Sherlock actor has never actually moved into his castle-like property set in 335 acres in the celebrity haven of Bruton in Somerset – and he may even be looking to sell up.

Benedict and his wife Sophie snapped up the pad in April 2022, but I’m told it could soon be back on the market. According to one well-placed source, Sophie is not a country girl.

‘She doesn’t want to move to the countryside,’ one friend said. ‘It’s Sophie who wants to sell.’

The estate boasts a wine cellar, orchard and a Grade II-listed lodge which was built to impress George III when he visited in the 18th Century. Today, celebrity neighbours include fashion designer Stella McCartney, former Chancellor George Osborne and theatre impresario Cameron Mackintosh.

Benedict and his wife Sophie snapped up the pad in April 2022

Benedict and his wife Sophie snapped up the pad in April 2022

The estate boasts a wine cellar, orchard and a Grade II-listed lodge which was built to impress George III when he visited in the 18th Century

The estate boasts a wine cellar, orchard and a Grade II-listed lodge which was built to impress George III when he visited in the 18th Century

An application to build a ‘new contemporary home’ on the site was accepted in 2017, but sources claim no building works have taken place. 

Benedict took over, the palatial home has been sitting empty and is falling into ruin.

Neighbours claim ‘nobody has ever moved in’, which explains why the turreted, Gothic-style entrance is blocked by a gate, and a notice over the letterbox reads ‘not in use’. Intriguingly, there are also security notices warning of ‘police drones’.

Most of the neighbours tell me they have ‘never seen’ Benedict.

I wonder what Dr Watson would think? It’s a three-pipe mystery, indeed…

…As Rebel seeks a rural retreat

Meanwhile, Rebel Wilson and her new wife Ramona Agruma are considering quitting Hollywood for a new life in the Cotswolds. 

Rebel Wilson and her new wife Ramona Agruma are considering quitting Hollywood for a new life in the Cotswolds

Rebel Wilson and her new wife Ramona Agruma are considering quitting Hollywood for a new life in the Cotswolds

The couple ‘fell in love’ with the area when visiting in summer, attracted by both its peace and quiet and the trendy celebrity haunt of Soho Farmhouse.

They also think it might be the ideal place to bring up their two-year-old daughter, Royce Lillian. 

‘Goddess’ Flora’s lost her Manners

Charles Manners – the handsome future Duke of Rutland and heir to Belvoir Castle – has quietly split from ITV’s glamorous horse racing presenter Flora Gibbs, I can reveal.

Rather awkwardly, they were both invited to Tatler’s Little Black Book Party of eligible singles at Tramp last week, where Flora, 26, left, ‘held court like a goddess’, according to one onlooker.

Flora Gibbs attends a fundraiser for Young Lives vs Cancer hosted by Tara DuRoss at St Pancras Renaissance Hotel on November 22, 2023

Flora Gibbs attends a fundraiser for Young Lives vs Cancer hosted by Tara DuRoss at St Pancras Renaissance Hotel on November 22, 2023

Violet Manners and Charles Granby attend the Gentleman's Journal Christmas party on December 02, 2021 in London

Violet Manners and Charles Granby attend the Gentleman’s Journal Christmas party on December 02, 2021 in London

Meanwhile Charles, the 25-year-old Marquess of Granby, inset, told me while scanning the dancefloor: ‘My type is blonde and tall.’ 

Er, just like Flora, then?

Tucks ducks out of Harry’s charity 

Prince Harry has lost another staff member – and this time it’s one of his closest chums.

Andrew Tucker, whom Harry affectionately calls ‘Tucks’, has stepped down from his senior position at Harry’s charity Sentebale, which helps vulnerable children in Lesotho, after almost a decade in the role.

Andrew Tucker, whom Harry affectionately calls 'Tucks', has stepped down from his senior position at Harry's charity Sentebale

Andrew Tucker, whom Harry affectionately calls ‘Tucks’, has stepped down from his senior position at Harry’s charity Sentebale

His departure comes less than a year after Sentebale chief executive Jonny Hornby quit.

Mr Tucker began working for both Harry and Prince William almost 20 years ago as their polo manager – he’s pictured above with Harry at a 2015 match – and is well known in royal circles.

His godfather is Mark Phillips, the ex-husband of Princess Anne, and he was best man at Peter Phillips’ 2008 wedding.

To cap it all!

Heiress Petra Ecclestone’s decision to show her support for Donald Trump by wearing a Make America Great Again cap hasn’t endeared her to her neighbours in liberal Los Angeles. 

Heiress Petra Ecclestone's decision to show her support for Donald Trump by wearing a Make America Great Again cap hasn't endeared her to her neighbours

Heiress Petra Ecclestone’s decision to show her support for Donald Trump by wearing a Make America Great Again cap hasn’t endeared her to her neighbours

The daughter of former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone says a stranger yelled at her to remove the cap as she arrived at stables for a horse-riding lesson with her daughter.

‘It was really shocking to me,’ she says. ‘I felt like a leper.’ 

It was one of the world’s most expensive weddings when Rasha Said, daughter of billionaire former Tory donor Wafic, married Khaled Khawaja at the Palace of Versailles, with Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie among the 700 guests. 

But 12 years later, I can reveal that the glamorous couple have sadly split. ‘While we can confirm that we live apart, we remain best friends,’ Rasha tells me. 

‘We continue to love and respect each other and share the love of our wonderful children, who remain at the centre of both of our lives.’