BBC Breakfast viewers were left distracted during a live interview with actor Nigel Havers on Thursday, July 9, as they all noticed the same impressive detail: his stunning home. Presenters Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt were on the iconic red sofa to discuss the day's top stories, including the case of Ruth Ellis, the last woman hanged in the UK, who had been granted a conditional posthumous pardon.
Nigel Havers' Home Steals the Show
As Havers joined via live link from his elegant lounge, viewers quickly took to social media to comment on the backdrop. The room featured magnificent artwork, floral arrangements, and multiple lighting fixtures. One viewer posted on X: "I was just thinking what a lovely huge room with all his artwork, etc, he collects." Another wrote: "Nigel's house is beautiful." A third quipped: "Havers on the set of Waiting for God," while a fourth shared: "I want to move into Nigel Havers house. Not with Nigel Havers, just into his house. It's incredible."
Discussion on Ruth Ellis Pardon
During the interview, Havers, whose grandfather Cecil Havers oversaw Ruth Ellis's trial, discussed the emotional impact of the pardon. He said: "I was just aware of this, the case, since I was a young man. As I was very close to my grandfather, he talked about it at length." He added: "I do, first of all, want to thank the King and David Lammy for announcing this yesterday. It must have been quite something for them to do it. It stayed, as I said, with my grandfather all his life. I became aware of it, and he was very against capital punishment anyway, and you can imagine it played a part in getting rid of that."
Havers noted that his grandfather was upset that Ellis should never have been hanged and had written to the Home Secretary at the time to plead for a change, but was disregarded. Reacting to the pardon, Havers said: "At least she now has a pardon. And as for the family, it's wonderful news for them. When I heard it yesterday, I sort of burst into tears, it was an amazing, emotional moment."
Family Reaction
Ruth Ellis's granddaughter, Laura Enston, also appeared on the programme to discuss the pardon. Havers told her: "Laura, I'm so pleased for you, you must be over the moon." Laura replied: "Thank you so much and thank you for your support. Understanding how far reaching the story is, it's not just the family that's been impacted, it's everyone that's touched this case. So, yeah, thank you."
BBC Breakfast airs daily on BBC One at 6am.
