ITV Star Snags £3.5M 10-Bedroom Mansion After Big Pay Rise — But the Twist Will Shock You!

Ben Shephard has spent £3.5 million on an exquisite new house that previously served as the official dwelling for a bishop.

While a number of ITV While some daytime TV personalities might be contemplating scaling back due to reduced budgets and layoffs, Shephard, who is 50 years old, is advancing in her career.

The television host bought a large new home located in a picturesque riverside area in the western part of town. London following an upgrade from his previous residence nearby.

However, there’s an obstacle associated with his ideal house that has put Ben in a difficult situation: even though it’s spacious, there is no driveway or rear entrance, and the sole access point is through a narrow front gate.

This will make it challenging to organize any construction work needed for updating the Grade II listed building.

A source mentioned: "It's an utterly stunning house. However, the floor plan implies that If he wishes to make significant changes to it—and it certainly requires an update—he will face challenges in bringing in larger materials or heavy machinery.

The sole entrance available is through a rather small front gate, and since it’s registered, he'll find it difficult to modify the design to change that.

'Good luck to his architect and builder!'

I believe that's why it requires an update — because it's incredibly challenging to find a method for managing it.

However, disregarding the headache, Ben and Annie are delighted with it.

It's the sole blemish on the horizon for them since everything else about it feels like their ideal house; thus, he's searching for a possible resolution.

When Shephard joined forces with Cat Deeley last year to become the new hosts of ThisMorning, replacing long-standing presenters Phillip Schofield and Holly Willoughby, he received a significant salary increase.

It is said that each of them is earning approximately £550,000 per year to host the show for four days a week.

It now seems that Shephard, whose net worth is estimated at approximately £3.6 million, is putting some of this money into purchasing his new home.

It is reported that the relocation was managed by her wife, Annie, who works as a design consultant with expertise in interior spaces and gardens.

She dedicated an entire year to meticulously transform the couple's previous residence in Richmond into a breathtaking dream house.

The couple might view their new home as "a project" to work on.

The interiors of the old ecclesiastical residence have ample room for redesign, given their rather conservative appearance. Several downstairs spaces that previously served as offices and formal reception areas can be transformed.

Once it hit the market, real estate agents lauded the 'iconic house,' noting its 'unequaled location.'

However, implying that there was potential for improvement, they mentioned that it was 'poised to become a magnificent family residence'.

The sizable standalone residence, believed to date back 300 years, initially served as the abode for Thomas Twining. He accumulated wealth through the tea business following the establishment of Britain’s earliest known teahouse in 1706 at Devereux Court close to the Strand in London.

The property stayed with the family through seven generations until artist and social reformer Elizabeth Twining left it to the church following her demise in 1889.

Previously serving as an impressive vicarage, the house later became the official office and dwelling place for a bishop.

The property, featuring 10 bedrooms and situated in a riverside conservation area, spans nearly 6,000 square feet of living space.

Real estate agents emphasized the rare prospect for purchasers, noting it presented an unparalleled chance after being available "for the first time in three hundred years" upon its debut on the market.

The property is situated near the River Thames, bordered by a large Grade II-listed church on one side and an historic park and gardens on the other.

It is believed that this place was formerly favored by royalty as a getaway during the summertime.

The description of the house includes an 'elegant facade from a past era adorned with an intricately designed entrance canopy and a distinctive sundial feature' situated over the main entryway.

Within, the property maintains many of its original period features including 'impressive ceiling heights, fireplaces,' as well as an exquisite entrance hall and intricately wood-carved staircase.

In the lower part of the building, although many spaces were set up as offices and a reception area, you can still find a living room, a dining room, a kitchen, and a utility room.

The first floor has six bedrooms and two bathrooms, whereas a secondary annex on the second floor includes three additional bedrooms along with another space that has been converted into an office.

As stated in an upscale real estate agency’s pamphlet, the gardens surrounding the property encircle three sides of the house and provide opportunities for enhancing them through landscaping efforts, potentially resulting in a splendid external space.

The pamphlet stated that the sale presented "a remarkably rare chance to develop an extraordinary and distinctive family residence in an excellent setting."

The statement went on to say: "Boasting an impressive waterside setting, a deep-rooted heritage, and top-notch accessibility, this residence provides a distinctive fusion of tradition and modernity, rendering it a dwelling that distinctly sets itself apart from the commonplace."

The sole drawback of this property is its closeness to both the church and cemetery, which includes a path connecting them, resulting in insufficient car parking area and restricted entry to its rear entrance.

A person close to Shephard – who also hosts the ITV quiz shows "Tipping Point" and "Ninja Warrior UK" – mentioned, “The moving van even had trouble getting through since everybody needs to enter from the front.”

Since the back of our home is situated near the church path, we must utilize the front entrance as the primary way to get into the house.

It seems Annie has already started working on the property, and she received three big parcels delivered to her home this week via a courier van.

In 1995, when they were pursuing their studies at the University of Birmingham, Shephard encountered Annie.

Aiming to become an actor, Shepherd earned a BA honors degree in Dance, Drama, and Theatre Arts, whereas Annie pursued studies in Philosophy.

The pair who tied the knot on Burgh Island near the coast of Devon in 2004 are parents to two boys — Jack, aged 19, and Sam, aged 18.

Born in Essex, Shephard has built a thriving career in television, where she has hosted several beloved British programs, including serving as the principal presenter for "GoodMorningBritain."

He once had a brief appearance in an episode of the popular American sitcom "Friends," where he was listed in the credits as 'Man with Microphone.'

In the meantime, Annie advanced from working at fashion and interior design magazines to becoming an advertising manager. Alongside this career progression, she also hosted glamorous parties, notable conferences, and awards ceremonies.

Following her journey into motherhood, Annie—who identifies as ‘a wellie-wearing vegetable grower’—juggled parenting her kids for 18 years alongside ‘demolishing and revamping homes and overseeing large-scale renovation endeavors’.

She previously posted on her website: "I have worked diligently and enrolled in top-notch courses, thus acquiring knowledge of design principles as well as gaining practical experience through hands-on creation, metaphorically wearing Wellington boots and wielding a shovel."

Following several missteps and numerous achievements, my friends began seeking assistance with their personal interior decorating and garden projects.

In 2016, the couple purchased their house in Richmond, and Shephard would sometimes post images on social media showcasing his family life beyond the public eye.

Photos shared during the COVID-19 lockdown period from their former residence showcased impressive extensive gardens featuring a 'gin bench,' an outdoor fire pit, and archways adorned with roses.

The garden included a well-kept lawn, bronze statues, and a section where the family cultivated their own vegetables.

The previous week, Shephard demonstrated that outside the studio, he isn’t just someone who lounges around on the couch. He showcased his impressive build on the cover of Men's Health magazine.

Shephard explained how he maintains his fitness level by attempting to match his sons during their workout sessions.

He stated, "It has been incredibly satisfying for me to show my 18-year-old and 19-year-old boys that I can still keep up with them. We enjoy working out together."

Shephard mentioned that his primary hurdle was dealing with the constant availability of baked goods, desserts, and high-calorie dishes prepared by television cooks on ThisMorning.

Read more