Telly personality James Corden has decided against pursuing his countryside property project after selling his £8.5 million mansion, as per information uncovered by the Mirror. The beloved figure from the show Gavin and Stacey, aged 47, invested in the horseshoe-shaped 1960s modernist Templecombe House back in 2020 with intentions to reconstruct it into his residence post his departure from hosting The Late Late Show in the US.
However, recent reports from the Mirror indicate that the British comedian has offloaded the neglected property, which had been left to deteriorate and be vandalized while vacant. It has been revealed that Corden will now settle in the £11.5 million mansion he acquired in north west London by 2024, where he will have actors Helena Bonham Carter and Tom Hiddleston as neighbors.
A source disclosed, “James and his family have moved on from the property. After a successful stint on Broadway in New York, he is planning to return home. They are now settled in the UK, with London serving as their family base.”
Corden, who recently concluded a 17-week Broadway run in New York alongside Neil Patrick Harris and Bobby Cannavale, purchased the secluded property near Henley-on-Thames, Oxon, in 2020. Despite encountering obstacles while proposing to demolish and rebuild the property, he eventually obtained approval to construct a six-bedroom mansion on the premises in January 2023. Furthermore, measures were mandated to protect wildlife with lighting and landscaping to preserve the site’s 45 megalithic stones.
Regrettably, the plans to reside in the estate with his wife Julia, 49, and their three children did not come to fruition. The property deteriorated as vandals trespassed and defaced it with graffiti. According to a source, “The place is in disarray, filled with debris, and clearly subjected to significant disturbances. It will require substantial effort to restore.”
Recently, urban explorers shared videos showcasing the dilapidated state of the house, including a crumbling kitchen with doors unhinged and an abandoned indoor swimming pool covered in dirt, leaves, and graffiti. Additional footage revealed a hidden safe and a worn-out arched sofa inside the property, prompting questions about its livability.
Local residents in Henley-on-Thames expressed frustration last year over the lack of progress on the property. One resident emphasized the need for occupied residences in the area, stressing the importance of contributing to the local community. Sue Harris, a long-time shop employee in Henley, echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the desirability of the property and the potential impact of leaving it vacant.
In a separate development, it was reported last year that Corden had acquired a property in north London, where extensive renovations were carried out, including the addition of an interior balcony, a spiral staircase, and privacy screens. These enhancements were completed in time for their relocation in December.
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