Bruce Forsyth widow
Bruce Forsyth's widow, Lady Wilnelia, has left the luxurious Surrey mansion she lived in with the TV icon. The huge property, known as Straidarran, located on the exclusive Wentworth Estate, has been left deserted. Bruce resided at the property for decades prior to his death in 2017, aged 89, following a battle with bronchial pneumonia. Wilnelia moved to a smaller property after selling the family mansion and purchased another home on the same estate for approximately £3million. She reportedly sold it to a Bermuda-based businesswoman for an estimated £5.7 million.
She reportedly inherited Bruce's entire £15million estate, and is living a quiet life in her smaller Surrey home.
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Wilnelia was last seen on TV in December, when she sent Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman a touching message ahead of their departure from Strictly Come Dancing. It was broadcast during the spin-off programme It Takes Two. Tess had co-presented Strictly alongside Bruce from the programme's debut in 2004, with Claudia assuming the role in 2013. "Hello, Tess and Claudia," Wilnelia told the hosts.
"Sending you both my warmest wishes as you step into this exciting new chapter. Tess, you shared so many wonderful years on Strictly with Bruce, and I know he would be so proud of you."
She continued, "And Claudia, your sparkle and wit have brought so much joy to everyone. Thank you both for the laughter, the elegance and the heart you have given to the show.
"All my love and the very best for the future ahead."
Signing off on her husband's famous catchphrase, she said: "Don't forget, life is too short, so... keep dancing!" Tess replied: "What a woman! She's just a goddess."
Meanwhile, Bruce and Wilnelia's marital home has been left nearly abandoned, with neighbours saying the home has remained largely unchanged, with no clear evidence of occupants or significant renovation work. The mansion has been left close to ruin, with an urban explorer showing the state of it.
One resident said the circumstances were unusual because overseas purchasers on the estate frequently demolish older properties and construct new-build mansions in their place. They said to The Sun: "Normally overseas owners on the estate knock these old homes down and build a new one. So it is a very strange situation with Bruce's old home, where seemingly nothing has happened since Wilnelia sold it six years ago."
They added: "The only thing I have noticed is that security is present there, the owners certainly aren't, but that only followed break-ins."
Security was apparently reinforced after urban explorers broke into the property, with police confirming reports of the incidents to the publication.
Wentworth Estate manager James Perotin previously stated the mansion was now under constant surveillance. He said: "Security has been increased at Bruce Forsyth's old house, there is now a van permanently on site, and it is monitored 24 hours a day."