Police in Surrey are conducting a thorough investigation into multiple raids that have been carried out at the abandoned £5.7 million mega mansion once owned by the late television legend Sir Bruce Forsyth. The incidents are believed to have been perpetrated by so-called 'urban explorers' seeking to film their exploits for online audiences.
Multiple Home Invasions Reported
Authorities have confirmed that at least two separate home invasions are thought to have occurred at Sir Bruce's former luxury Surrey residence within just the last month alone. The police were alerted following multiple reports from concerned neighbours residing on the exclusive Wentworth Estate, where the property is located.
Security Response and Community Concern
In response to these troubling events, a private security team costing up to £500 per day has been dispatched to protect the nine-bedroom property, known as Straidarran, from further unauthorized entries. It remains unclear whether any items have been taken from the mansion during these incidents.
One local resident, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed their frustration to the Daily Mail, stating they were 'angered' by the home invasions. 'To see these low lifes break in and film themselves inside for clicks and views on YouTube is just so heartless,' the neighbour added.
Online Evidence of Trespassing
Several videos shared across various online platforms appear to show individuals identifying as urban explorers breaking into the property and conducting extensive tours of the interior. Other footage captures people prowling around the grounds, searching for unlocked entry points to gain access.
One particularly disturbing video appears to show two YouTubers walking through the estate, commenting on the property's deteriorating condition, peering into a bar area, and eventually entering an outbuilding. Additional content shows trespassers posing for mocking photographs inside a dressing room, while another clip depicts a group of men lurking near an algae-filled swimming pool.
Property History and Current Condition
The sprawling mansion was left to Sir Bruce's widow, Lady Wilnelia Forsyth-Johnson, following his passing. She subsequently sold the property in April 2020 for £5.7 million, and it has remained empty since that transaction. The estate has fallen into significant disrepair, with the tennis court, swimming pool, and main house all showing clear signs of decay and neglect.
Photographs shared online reveal the interior frozen in time, with original fittings, carpets, and furniture still in place. The indoor pool appears in particularly poor condition, filled with green water and containing a submerged safety barricade.
Estate Management and Future Plans
It is understood that a contractual agreement requires the grounds to be maintained, though no such obligation exists for the house itself. The property is reportedly earmarked for eventual demolition, with plans potentially in place for a new home to be constructed on the site in the future.
When journalists visited the property recently, a Cannons Security van and guard were present on site. The security firm provides protection services for the famously exclusive estate, with costs reaching up to £500 daily. Warning signs have since been installed on the front gates, which feature an 'F' emblem on each leaf in tribute to the Forsyth name.
Exclusive Neighbourhood Context
The Wentworth Estate, which straddles a renowned golf club, is home to properties that can fetch over £20 million. Famous past and present residents have included the late Formula One legend Eddie Jordan, golfer Ernie Els, and Sarah Ferguson, the former Duchess of York. Despite its exclusive nature, neighbours report that many palatial properties on the estate show signs of having been abandoned by their owners.
Local residents note that the main gates have remained closed since the sale, while moss and weeds have overtaken the tennis court and surrounding lawns. This represents a stark contrast to the days when Sir Bruce, a keen tennis enthusiast, would regularly enjoy his favourite pastime on the premises.
Property Features and Sir Bruce's Legacy
The mansion itself boasts impressive amenities including a ten-seater cinema room, ten reception rooms and bedrooms, a library, gymnasium, swimming pool, spa area, and wine cellar. Sir Bruce, who delighted millions throughout a glittering career spanning more than eight decades, died peacefully at the property in August 2017 at the age of 89, following a battle with bronchial pneumonia.
Known for his iconic catchphrase 'nice to see you, to see you nice!' the entertainer secured his place in the Guinness World Records for the longest television career of any male entertainer. From his 1939 debut as a child star known as 'Boy Bruce, the Mighty Atom,' he grew to become the undisputed king of British Saturday night television.
Sir Bruce first captivated the nation in the late 1950s as host of Sunday Night At The London Palladium, where his 'Beat the Clock' segment made him a household name. The Generation Game in the 1970s catapulted him to superstardom, with 20 million loyal viewers tuning in weekly. He later presented Play Your Cards Right and, in his 80s, co-hosted the BBC's hit dancing show Strictly Come Dancing alongside Tess Daly.
Bruce Forsyth married Wilnelia Merced, who was 29 years his junior, in 1983 after meeting as judges on the Miss World competition. They had one son together, Jonathan Joseph, known as JJ. Lady Wilnelia is understood to still reside on the Wentworth Estate, maintaining connections to the community despite having sold the family mansion.
