Former Made In Chelsea star Ollie Locke and his husband Gareth Locke have relocated to the English countryside, marking a significant lifestyle change following their departure from a luxury London rental property amid an ongoing rent dispute.
The couple, who share two-year-old twins Apollo and Cosima, had previously been living in an upscale Chelsea townhouse reportedly valued at around £4 million.
However, earlier this year they were forced to leave the property after falling behind on rent payments, leading to a growing debt that remains unresolved.
Countryside Move Revealed on Social Media
The relocation was disclosed by Ollie in a video shared with his hundreds of thousands of Instagram followers.
In the post, the 39-year-old reality star explained that he had fulfilled a long-held ambition by moving to the south coast after spending two decades living in London.
Describing the transition as the start of a new chapter, Ollie said he was embracing rural life and enjoying new experiences, including helping care for a flock of newly arrived chicks that have become a favorite attraction for the couple’s young children.
He also suggested that the move would coincide with a fresh business venture and a complete change of pace from the social scene that made him famous.
Temporary Stop in South-West London
Before settling in the countryside, Ollie and Gareth were seen living in another rented property in Barnes, an affluent area of south-west London.
The home was believed to be comparable in value to their former Chelsea residence and was located close to family friend and fellow reality television personality Binky Felstead.
Despite the apparent comfort of the temporary accommodation, the couple have now chosen to leave city life altogether in favor of raising their children in a more rural environment.
Rent Arrears Led to Eviction Threat
The move follows financial difficulties linked to their former London home.
Reports earlier this year revealed that the couple had failed to pay three months of rent on the four-bedroom property near Chelsea’s King’s Road.
The unpaid rent initially amounted to approximately £25,000 but later increased to around £45,000 after legal expenses and penalties were added.
The escalating costs eventually resulted in the pair leaving the property under the threat of formal eviction proceedings.
A third tenant listed on the tenancy agreement is also reportedly being held responsible for the outstanding amount.
According to reports, she paid her share of the rent directly to Ollie and Gareth, but the funds were not passed on to the landlord.
Ollie Speaks About Emotional Impact
Ollie has previously described the situation as deeply distressing, admitting that the controversy left him feeling humiliated and contributed to what he characterized as a personal breakdown.
Despite the difficulties, both he and Gareth have publicly stated that they are committed to repaying the outstanding debt and resolving the matter.
Gareth emphasized that financial struggles can affect any household, arguing that their family faces budgeting challenges similar to many others despite their public profiles.
IVF and Surrogacy Journey Created Major Financial Pressure
The couple have also shed light on the financial strain created by their lengthy journey to parenthood.
Ollie revealed that he spent approximately £500,000 on IVF treatments and surrogacy arrangements before welcoming their twins in July 2023.
According to the television star, the original expectation was that the process would cost significantly less.
However, repeated setbacks, including six pregnancy losses and delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, dramatically increased expenses over a four-year period.
To help finance the process, Ollie said he sold his previous home after realizing that treatment costs were escalating far beyond initial estimates.
Growing Family Brings New Financial Responsibilities
Since becoming parents, the Lockes say their priorities have changed considerably.
Their twins were born prematurely at 31 weeks, and the ongoing costs associated with childcare have become a major consideration.
Gareth noted that the unpredictable nature of careers in television and social media means that hiring full-time childcare support is essential for their family.
However, he acknowledged that employing a nanny comes with substantial expenses.
As they settle into their new life on the south coast, the couple say their focus is now on creating a stable environment for their children while rebuilding after a challenging period marked by financial pressures, legal disputes, and the emotional demands of becoming parents.
