ITV star Declan Donnelly is busy renovating the run-down property next door to his £7million mansion after purchasing it for a cool £2.25m.
The I’m A Celebrity host jumped at the chance to make the investment after describing the semi-detached property as an eyesore on his West London street. Dec and his wife Ali Astall subsequently sought permission from Hounslow London Borough Council last year to modernise the building – a stone’s throw from the former home of Dec’s best pal Ant McPartlin.
Dec and Ali already boast a private cinema, swimming pool and sauna at their West London abode, but their new place – which they plan on converting into two luxury apartments – will benefit from a “party room” with work already underway.
READ MORE: I’m A Celebrity’s Declan Donnelly shocks fans as he sings Billy Joel at local pub
READ MORE: Ant McPartlin baby with Anne-Marie is ‘stuff of dreams’ as he ‘always wanted kids’
In plans obtained by the Sun, the pair plan on installing a custom-built bar, a fireplace and a “bespoke” seating area for guests.
A source previously told the same publication: “The street Dec lives in is very swanky and lined with large detached houses and his place is one of the most impressive mansions there. But other neighbours have taken less care of their properties and the one bang next door to Dec had been allowed to become a bit of an eyesore.”
They continued: “Most people would have to live with seeing it go to rack and ruin but Dec has taken the initiative and snapped it up when it came on the market. The front has already been secured and boarded up ready for the rebuild and the planning application has gone in.”
Dec returned to his native North East on New Year’s Eve and wowed pub goers with a rendition of Billy Joel’s hit Piano Man at his family’s local boozer – The Bagder in posh Ponteland, Northumberland. One reveller revealed the star often pops in for a drink, and his sister is also known to enjoy a trip there too.
Dec grew up close to the pub in a three-bed council house with his parents and six siblings. The TV host repeatedly offered to buy his mum Annie a new home nearby as his career rocketed, but she refused and instead stayed in the property worth £10,000.
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It comes after co-star Ant revealed he is finally to be a dad at the grand old age of 48. Dec’s fellow Geordie is expecting his first child with his wife Anne-Marie Corbett – with the baby reportedly due in June.
Ant and Anne-Marie, who got married in August 2021, are said to be “beyond delighted” at the prospect of starting a family.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
