Michael Jackson’s minder blasts ‘saddest ever’ Grand Designs after £7.5m snub
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The former bodyguard of Michael Jackson has spoken out about his failed efforts to buy the infamous “saddest ever” Grand Designs house.
The King of Pop’s former minder Matt Fiddes placed a bid to buy doomed Chesil Cliff House from owner Edward Short but had his offer turned down.
The lighthouse-inspired pad, on the North Devon coast in Croyde, has appeared twice on Channel 4’s famous programme with costs brutally spiralling but is now finally being split into two homes and sold separately.
READ MORE: Grand Designs 'saddest ever home' is £10m clifftop mansion that ruined owner's life
Matt, 44, who owns a £120million martial arts company and looked after the Thriller star for more than a decade, has voiced his frustration after his offer was rejected and explained what he had planned to do with the place.
He said: "He should have taken my offer as I would have turned one section into luxury apartments and the other into an Airbnb.
“If it does come on sale for a realistic price I will buy it but not as it is right now as he’s (Mr Short) flogging a dead horse.”
Speaking of his initial bid to buy the art deco home, Matt said: "I see this as an achievement stamp for me.
"I had a painful time in Croyde when I was younger because I was evicted.
"But 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."
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New row over Grand Designs’ ’saddest ever’ house could see coastal view 'ruined'
The property was initially listed by Knight Frank for £10million and a mystery buy is thought to have gone far in the process but pulled out.
The build plunged Mr Short into some £7million in debt but it is now being split up with the main home being listed for £7.5million.
The second property, an annexe called The Eye, is being listed for £2.5million.
Matt added: “I advised the owner to sell the two properties separately and now he is doing it but he couldn’t before due to the estate agents.
“That place is worth no more than £3m or £4m so he has missed his chance.”
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- Channel 4
- Michael Jackson
- Property
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