Ant McPartlin's Multi-Million Pound Escape to Surrey After London Neighbour Dispute
Television presenter Ant McPartlin has dramatically declared 'I'm a celebrity, get me out of here!' in a real-life move, abandoning his long-time London residence for one of Britain's most sought-after villages. The Mail on Sunday can exclusively reveal that the millionaire broadcaster has relocated to the affluent, leafy expanses of Surrey, purchasing a substantial new-build mansion on an exclusive private street for a record-breaking sum exceeding £10 million.
Record-Breaking Purchase and Stamp Duty Hit
This lavish property acquisition comes with a significant financial footprint, costing McPartlin more than £1 million in stamp duty alone. The 50-year-old sold his luxury Wimbledon home in south-west London just two months prior, following a contentious planning disagreement with neighbours. A local resident in the undisclosed village commented: 'Apparently, it is a record sale for the area and it's all anyone is gossiping about. It is one of the prime private estates in an acre of grounds so he shouldn't have trouble with the neighbours any more.'
Golden Handcuffs Deal and Celebrity Enclave Life
Financial concerns are unlikely to trouble McPartlin, as he has recently inked a formidable £30 million 'golden handcuffs' agreement with ITV, alongside his television partner and best friend Declan Donnelly. Interestingly, Donnelly has also been investing in property, reportedly acquiring his third house on the same London street. McPartlin, who welcomed his first child with second wife Anne-Marie Corbett, 47, just over eighteen months ago, is poised to settle comfortably into this celebrity-friendly enclave.
Villagers have noted the couple venturing out with their young son, Wilder. One observer remarked: 'He looks very content and is always happy to say hello to people who recognise him but I don't think he will be bothered too much around here as we are used to all the celebrities packing out the local hostelries.'
The London Planning Dispute That Prompted the Move
McPartlin's departure from London followed the planning controversy, although he publicly denied the row was his reason for relocating. The dispute centred on local accusations that he wished to remove six large, healthy trees from his garden based on 'a personal whim'. Residents objected after the local council granted permission for his landscaping project, despite an existing tree preservation order.
He originally purchased that three-storey Wimbledon property for £6 million in 2019, moving in with Anne-Marie after previously residing next door to Donnelly in Chiswick, west London. The couple subsequently invested 'hundreds of thousands' on renovations, including two extensions and a swimming pool complex with Victorian-style changing rooms.
Personal Transformation and New Family Chapter
This property shift marks another chapter in McPartlin's remarkable personal turnaround. He bought the Wimbledon home after a turbulent period where a painkiller addiction, stemming from a botched knee operation, coupled with drinking problems, nearly derailed his career. He underwent a two-month rehabilitation stint in 2017, with a further stay the following year after a car crash while over twice the legal alcohol limit. Earlier in 2018, his separation from wife of eleven years, Lisa Armstrong, was confirmed.
Taking an extended break from television, McPartlin has credited his former personal assistant, Anne-Marie—whom he married in 2021—with helping transform his life. He is a stepfather to her teenage daughters, Daisy and Poppy, and was reportedly overjoyed to become a biological father for the first time in May 2024. This move to a serene Surrey estate symbolises a fresh start, far removed from past controversies and neighbourly disputes.
