The lavish seven-bedroom mansion of much-loved comedian Paul O’Grady has been put on the market for £3.5million by his widower, despite his recent planning row win.
The Kent farmhouse, which was inherited by former professional dancer Andre Portasio when his late husband died at the age of 67, was listed on Rightmove last Thursday.
The Liverpudlian had lived in Knoll House, which boasts four large reception rooms, from 1999 until his death in March 2023.
Eighteen months later, his widower, Mr Portasio has taken the decision to sell the luxury Edwardian building despite having recently won a fierce planning battle with neighbours.
Locals had objected to the former dancer’s request to turn part of the mansion into the holiday let, accusing him of effectively building a new home ‘by the back door’.
Former professional dancer Andre Portasio (right) – who inherited the husband Paul O’Grady mansion when (left) died last March aged 67 – has put the property up for sale
The Liverpudlian, famed for his portrayal as Lilly Savage, had lived in Knoll House from 1999 until his death in March 2023
The lavish property (Pictured) which has been run by his widower since his death was listed for £3.5 million last Thursday
They also added that there was no need for more holiday lets in the area, citing fears of road accidents with a ‘constant stream of visiting car drivers unfamiliar with the property’s awkward access’.
Some even went on to suggest that the late Paul O’Grady himself would not approve of the proposal.
However it also emerged others written in support of Mr Portasio’s plans, with officials at the council eventually giving the scheme the green light in July.
But despite emerging victorious in his planning request, the widower has made the decision to sell, with the property listed on Strutt and Parker and Rightmove.
Formerly owned by fellow comedian Vic Reeves, the 50-acre estate mixes traditional features like French doors with quirkier aspects such as bookcase wallpaper and a Gypsy caravan in the garden.
The mansion, which boasts a ‘Witches House’ in the garden, is situated in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) comes with four acres of woodland.
Past and present neighbours in the surrounding include fellow comedians Julian Clary and Alan Carr.
Estate agent Strutt and Parker said: ‘Knoll Hill House sits in a breathtaking position at the top of the escarpment above the Romney Marsh which affords the most sensational far-reaching views, looking across the marsh to the coast and the sea in the distance.
‘Built in 1910 the house has much charm, providing a comfortable and spacious space in which to live and entertain against this stunning backdrop.’
It comes as Mr Portasio won a bitter planning row with locals who objected to his plans of transforming part of the property into a holiday let
Pictured: An aerial view of Mr O’Grady’s country home and grounds in rural Aldington in Kent
the 50-acre estate mixes traditional features like French doors with quirkier aspects, and boasts seven rooms, outbuildings, a swimming pool and more (Pictured: Paul O’Grady and Mr Portasio cutting a wedding cake)
Moving into Knoll Hill completed a long-held ambition of relocating to the Kentish countryside away from the hustle and bustle of London.
In his book Country Life, Paul wrote: ‘I couldn’t quite get it to sink in that the house was mine. On my first night in the house I couldn’t sleep I was so excited.
‘I spent the night roaming around the rooms like a cat getting accustomed to its new surroundings (although I didn’t spray), lugging pieces of furniture from one room to another and then spending ages standing back to see if it looked right, which it inevitably didn’t.’
The kitchen is arranged around an island and benefits from an Aga with French doors which open to the terrace and the gardens beyond.
On the first floor are five bedrooms, four of which face the Romney Marsh while the main bedroom has a dressing room with French doors opening to a balcony and an en suite bathroom.
Two of the other bedrooms in the lavish home also enjoy balcony access.
As well as Knoll Hill House itself, the estate boasts a swimming pool and several outbuildings, including two self-contained cottages, a barn, and stables.
The move to Knot Hill completed a long-held ambition of relocating to the Kentish countryside away from the hustle and bustle of London for the Liverpudlian
Paul O’Grady, who was not only well known for his on camera work but his love of animals, died on March 28, 2023 from sudden cardiac arrhythmia
V personality and broadcaster Paul O’Grady dressed as Lily Savage, in his London home in 1993
The cottage, which is now a dance studio, gym and steam room with a kitchen, bedroom and living space upstairs, is the largest of the outbuildings.
A timber-clad cottage, nicknamed ‘the Woodland Hut’, provides additional room and has been described as a ‘charming and whimsical building’, with a wood burner, exposed brick walls and a galleried bedroom.
As a keen animal lover, as many as 14 sheep, three dogs, two pigs, hundreds of rescued chickens, ducks, alpacas, goats and barn owls all call Knoll Hill home thanks to Paul.
Paul O’Grady, who was famed for his presenting gigs as well as his iconic character Lilly Savage, died from sudden cardiac arrhythmia on March 28, 2023.
