A 17th century manor house once home to legendary comedian Bob Monkhouse has gone on the market for £3 million.
The Grade II listed home, named Claridges, in the village of Eggington is where the comic spent the last 28 years of his life with his wife Jackie and is also where he passed away peacefully in his sleep in 2003, aged 75.
So dear was the property to Mr Monkhouse that he once said: ‘I’d never be unfaithful to my wife for the reason that I love my house very much.’
But more than a decade on from his death, the idyllic home has been put on the market for £3.15 million by estate agents Harding Green.
Sitting on around two acres of ‘manicured gardens’, the sprawling manor house features five bedrooms, five bathrooms, two studies and ‘sizeable’ living spaces, with 6,200 square feet of internal space across two floors.
Despite dating back centuries, and even having its own moat, the lavish home also comes complete with a number of modern amenities.
These include a 600-bottle climate-controlled wine store, a heated outdoor swimming pool and pool house, as well as a greenhouse and double garage.
It is also in close proximity to London, being situated 3.2 miles from Leighton Buzzard station which has a direct fast train to Euston in just 30 minutes.
Bob Monkhouse stands outside his 17th century manor house in Eggington, which has now gone on sale for £3.15m
The Grade II listed property, named Claridges, boasts two acres of ‘manicured gardens’ and a heated outdoor swimming pool
The home’s kitchen is furnished with wooden fittings and polished worktops
The house was sold in 2008 after Jackie passed away and last year it was even used for filming a movie about the late comedian.
Monkhouse will be played by actor Simon Cartwright, who previously took up the role in the 2017 short-film The Last Laugh.
He told BBC News Claridges was ‘a property [Monkhouse] loved’, adding: ‘What a great pleasure that the present owners have given permission for our film to use that as a backdrop.’
Estate agent Jack Graham-Lindsey also described the property as a ‘a true country sanctuary… it combines period elegance with the comforts of modern family living.
‘Its proximity to London… makes it especially rare — a quintessential English country house with all the space and serenity of the countryside, yet within easy reach of the capital’, he told Country Life.
‘The main house dates back to the 17th century with two further additions in the 18th century and the 1970’s respectively,’ the listing adds.
‘The sellers have further added a conservatory to the rear of the property and fully re-landscaped the property.’
Next to the outdoor pool there is also a lavish pool house
Each room inside the home also features exposed timber frames, recalling its 17th Century beginnings
Monkhouse was propelled to household fame in 1967 presenting ATV’s The Golden Shot.
The gameshow featured members of the audience who guided, via the telephone, a blindfolded marksman called ‘Bernie the Bolt’ to fire a crossbow arrow into a target to win prizes.
Monkhouse’s slick style and ability to put nervous contestants at ease with his quick quips meant numerous other gameshow jobs followed including Family Fortunes, 64,000 Question, Bob’s Full House and Bob Says Opportunity Knocks.
One of his most recent regular television slots was fronting the National Lottery Draw and quiz show Wipeout on BBC1.
But to categorise Monkhouse as just a gameshow host would be to do him a disservice as he also appeared in 12 films including the very first Carry On film, Carry on Sergeant, in 1958.
He also acted in dramas, most recently in 1993 when he starred with comedian Hugh Laurie in All or Nothing At All.
Monkhouse’s slick style and ability to put nervous contestants at ease with his quick quips saw him host a number of gameshows including Bob’s Full House
National Lottery presenters Frank Bruno (bottom left), Bob Monkhouse (bottom centre) and Mystic Meg (bottom right) celebrate the 100th jackpot draw
Despite his glittering CV, Monkhouse was someone who invariably aroused strong emotions in the public – for good and for bad.
Even his daughter Abigail once said: “Either you like him or you don’t.”
Monkhouse married his first wife Elizabeth in 1949 and divorced in 23 years later after having three children – Abigail, Gary and Simon.
He married Jackie, his secretary, in 1972 and they lived for much of their year ins the 17th century farmhouse.
Monkhouse died peacefully in his sleep in 2003 at his home in the village of Eggington, after a two-and-a-half-year battle with prostate cancer.