Josh Widdicombe has traded the hustle and bustle of London for the serene landscapes of Devon, moving into the former home of TV legend Noel Edmonds.
The comedian, 42, and his producer wife Rose Hanson, also 42, splurged £2.95 million on a sprawling five-bedroom property in Exeter, marking a big change from their busy city life.
The move comes after the couple sold their £2.3 million London townhouse last summer.
Their main goal? More space for their two children—seven-year-old Pearl and four-year-old Cassius—and a return to the area where Josh spent his childhood.
A Home With History and Luxury
The Grade II listed property spans an impressive 7,500 sq ft and features five en-suite bedrooms, plus a separate one-bedroom coach house on the grounds.
Photos of the home reveal a majestic living room complete with a grand piano, soaring ceilings, and a cozy log fire.
In addition, the house offers two more sitting rooms, two offices, a 35-foot dining room, and a generously sized kitchen with a breakfast area heated by an Aga.
Situated on one of Exeter’s most exclusive streets, the house also boasts a gym, wine cellar, and plenty of additional space for work or play.
The Edmonds Era and Legal Drama
Before the Widdicombes, the house belonged to Noel Edmonds, 77, who purchased it for £1.36 million in 2006 following his divorce from his second wife, Helen Soby, and amid the height of his Deal or No Deal fame.
Edmonds undertook major renovations, but the property later became the center of a bitter legal dispute.
Edmonds had hired a builder, Ulrik Lawson, who claimed he had not been paid for the refurbishment work.
Edmonds maintained that Lawson had agreed to handle the project for “no fee,” while Lawson insisted he could not work for free.
The case ended with Edmonds ordered to pay £600,000 plus legal fees, despite having sold the house in 2008 for over £2 million.
A Comedic Twist
Josh Widdicombe has joked about the home’s quirky history on the Parenting Hell podcast.
Referring to Edmonds’ iconic Noel’s House Party, Widdicombe clarified: “Just to be clear, it isn’t in Crinkley Bottom – it isn’t the house we used to see on Saturday nights on TV.”
Co-host Rob Beckett couldn’t resist a cheeky comment, teasing Josh that he had moved into a house “that Noel Edmonds has had sex in… and he’s w****d in there,” sparking laughter.
Space for Family Life and Creativity
The new Exeter home dwarfs the couple’s former five-storey Victorian townhouse in Victoria Park, London, which they renovated after buying it for £1.9 million in 2017.
Beyond this, Josh and Rose also own a £1 million holiday home in Mullion, Cornwall, which they have lovingly restored and now rent out to vacationers.
Rose shared updates on Instagram, noting: “We plan to spend as much time as we can in Cornwall.
Josh’s family are in Devon, so it’s great to be near them, and we’ll be renting it out probably through a company when we’re not there.”
When it comes to home improvements, Rose has made it clear who’s in charge.
“He’s good at writing jokes, I’m good with interiors – we stick to our lanes,” she explained.
Renovations That Respect History
The Widdicombes have begun extensive renovations to tailor the house to their needs.
Builders have stripped out bathrooms, moved walls, and replaced a damp-affected conservatory with a new garden room.
A former workshop will be converted into a home gym, catering to Rose’s love of weightlifting.
Despite all the modern touches, the couple is committed to preserving the property’s historic charm, including its chandeliers, fireplace, and expansive bay windows, blending contemporary living with classic Georgian elegance.
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