Michael Jackson's former bodyguard is set to buy Grand Designs' 'saddest ever' home
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We all dream of having a place to call our own, but for entrepreneur and ex-bodyguard Matt Fiddes, that could include a light-house-inspired haunt featured on Grand Designs.
Fiddes is said to have placed a hefty bid on infamous cliff-top abode Chesil Cliff House in Croyde, Devon - dubbed the show's 'saddest ever' home - which he hopes will be a kind of 'achievement stamp' for him.
The bid is a big moment for Fiddes, who left school at 16 with £100 to his name and no qualifications.
At 17 the hard-working lad was living in Croyde but couldn't afford his £35 rent. Now, he has a fitness empire with outposts in over 1,000 schools across the world.
And he's set to return to the area very soon in a 'full circle' moment after bidding on the home: "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, Fiddes clearly proved them wrong, with his business being valued at £120 million.
Planning to expand his endeavours, he wants to add the home (Chesil Cliff House) and its three acres of land to his property portfolio, in the hopes of converting it into 12 flats to let.
Still, Fiddes didn't realise that the property became famous on Grand Designs after featuring on the show in October 2019.
The cliff-top project was started by Edward Short, who had planned to transform the house into an art deco lighthouse.
However, the property proved to be a money pit, costing Short £7 million in debt, as well as his marriage.
Short was determined to finish the project, though, and he delivered, creating what one estate agent called 'one of the most impressive waterfront homes on the North Devon coast.'
The property boasts five bedrooms and bathrooms, four reception rooms, a sauna, and a cellar. There's also a three-bedroom studio annexe attached to the property, just in case that didn't sound like enough room.
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Once he finished, Short knew it was time to move on: "I’ll always be proud to have finished this. I owe it to my family to have a real end result, but the time has come to move on.
"I will have achieved what I set out to do, never deviating from the plans, and for that, I’ll always be proud."
Here's hoping Fiddes will bring some happiness to the 'saddest ever' home.
Featured Image Credit: SWNS
Topics: News, Michael Jackson, Home, UK News, Money
