Gregg Wallace, 61, has taken to Instagram to reveal that he's selling up his £1 million home in Kent to start a new life in Yorkshire. He currently lives with his wife, Anne-Marie Sterpini, and their son, Sid, who has Autism, alongside Anne-Marie's parents, Rina and Massimo.
The star cites two reasons for wanting to make the move - firstly, his daughter lives in the area, and secondly, he’s always "really liked" the place. Instead of a secluded bolthole like the one he has now, Gregg is seeking a property in a town for a sense of "community", as he admits feeling "cut off" at his current residence.
© InstagramThen, in his caption, he also references the fact that the profit from the sale of his house would provide an "income" for his family and security for the future when he's no longer around. He wrote: "Also, the equity release from this house added to the pension will give us an income. Not just for me, but for my wife when I’m no longer here."
The former MasterChef presenter has been very open about his dramatic loss of income following his public sacking, which he candidly describes as his "life collapsing". The star has made multiple videos on Instagram praising the platform Cameo for being a positive revenue stream for him. It’s an online site where people pay for personalised clips from celebrities, saying hello or sending special birthday wishes.
© BBCGregg’s Instagram followers applauded the decision and told him to "go for it". They also left lots of recommendations in the comments section regarding different areas of Yorkshire to consider. "Sounds idyllic. Best of luck in your search," wrote one fan, and: "Harrogate and Knaresborough are perfect," added another. A third commented: "Richmond, Knaresborough or Malton [are my top three]. Whitby and Scarborough are nice to visit but too busy and crowded in the summer."
This news comes after he announced in April that he would be spending part of the year in Italy. Speaking to Kent Live, Gregg touched on his decision to relocate to Europe for five months of the year. "I want to ease off a little bit, I want to relax a little bit, but also that comes with wanting financial security for me and my family, because I’ve got a wife that’s much younger than me and a special needs little boy, Sid. So I want to relax a little bit and at the same time make sure that I can have a certain lifestyle and that I leave a legacy for my family."
Will Gregg's in-laws move too?
Currently, Gregg's in-laws, Rina and Massimo, live with them in Kent. He has not clarified if they will be making the move too. Speaking about the unique arrangement, Gregg has explained in the past: "When they moved in, they wanted to contribute. I said: 'No way. You don’t need to spend your money anymore. Enjoy your retirement. Come and look after us'." However, since Gregg's income was halted, this could have changed.
What is Gregg's current home like?
The father-of-three resides at Priory Wood Farmhouse, which sits on an impressive plot of land. Pictures inside the home show it has a vast living space with an open fire, a stunning bedroom with exposed beams and a garden that looks worthy of a royal residence.
