Michael Jackson’s former bodyguard has bid £7.5million for the “saddest ever” house featured on Grand Designs.
Matt Fiddes, 43, worked as a personal security officer for the late Thriller singer for over a decade.
He has since built a global martial arts company worth £120million and is also a property developer.
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Earlier this month, Matt placed a bid on Chesil Cliff House, in Croyde, Devon – which is situated a short distance from the bedsit he was once evicted from.
The property originally featured on Grand Designs in 2009.
(Image: Knight Frank)
Owned by music executive Edward Short and his wife Hazel, the couple shared their dreams of turning the 1950s home into an art-deco white lighthouse.
In a follow-up appearance on the Channel 4 show in October 2019, Edward confirmed a recession and building problems had left the project and his marriage in tatters and listed the property for sale for £10million.
Making an offer of £7.5 million, Matt has called his bid on the property an “achievement stamp”.
The self-made millionaire left school with no qualifications and aged 17, worked as a lifeguard in Croyde until he was evicted from his first rental property for not making the £35-a-week rent.
(Image: SWNS)
Confirming his bid, Matt said: “This property is five minutes away from my first rental when I moved out from my mum and dad’s in Swindon.
“I have memories of planning my business and my dreams in Croyde so we’ve come full circle.
“People told me I wouldn’t make it and it wouldn’t work out.
“But I’ve been buying houses since I was 18 and it doesn’t matter I can’t write well because I only have to sign autographs and cheques.”
(Image: SWNS)
Matt hopes to convert Chesil Cliff House into 12 flats which he plans to let out.
Located on a cliff, the five-bedroom and bathroom property boasts an infinity pool, three acres of land and a three-bedroom studio annexe known as The Eye.
In its current form, the cliffside home also features four reception rooms, a sauna, a cellar and double garage.
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