EXCLUSIVEPaul O'Grady's furious neighbours accuse widower of trying to 'cash in' on 'best house in Kent' after slashing asking price of £3.5m Edwardian mansion following holiday let row
Paul O'Grady's widow has infuriated neighbours again by knocking almost £1 million off the price of the star's mansion.
They have accused Andre Portasio of 'cashing in' by flogging the seven-bedroom Kent farmhouse for £2.65 million - a big drop on the original £3.5 million.
Ballet dancer Andre had previously angered neighbours in the quaint village of Adlington by trying to turn a security hut on the site into a separate two-bedroom house and make it three times bigger.
He later won another battle to turn it into a holiday let instead.
Now locals are further angered by him cutting the price.
Andre inherited Knoll House - which boasts four large reception rooms - after Paul's death in 2023 aged 67.
The TV star had lived in the lavish property from 1999 until his death.
Neighbours and locals said the former Lily Savage star was popular, but since his death they have been upset at goings-on connected to the property.
O'Grady, who shot to fame as Lily Savage, had lived at Knoll Hill House near Ashford, from 1999 until his death in March 2023 aged 67 (pictured with husband Andre Portasio)
The mansion is situated in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and comes with four acres of woodland
The kitchen is arranged around an island and benefits from French doors which open to the terrace and the gardens beyond
One told MailOnline: 'We've not seen Andre much at all. It just feels like he's trying to cash in on the property after Paul died with all these various plans.
'It's really sad. Now he's lowered the price. There's a big difference between the sort of people who would pay £3.5 million and £2.65 million, in my opinion.
'It's worth more than three million, I would say. I wish he would just decide what he wants to do with it and get on with it.
'It's an absolutely stunning property and I am sure Paul had many cherished memories there.
Fred Jaeger, 77, who has lived opposite the property for 40 years, described the latest row as 'really sad'.
He said: 'I thought the holiday let plan was very bad. It would have cheapened the area a lot. I did not agree with that at all.
Neighbour Fred Jaeger said he did not agree with the idea of the home becoming a holiday let
The front of the mansion behind a locked gate. The TV star had lived in the lavish property from 1999 until his death
On the first floor are five bedrooms, while the main bedroom has a dressing room with French doors opening to a balcony and an ensuite bathroom
The cottage, which is now a dance studio, gym and steam room with a kitchen, bedroom and living space upstairs, is the largest of the outbuildings
As well as Knoll Hill House itself, the estate boasts a swimming pool and several outbuildings, including two self-contained cottages
'It's a really unique property. I think it's the best house in Kent. I just wish Andre would decide what he wants to do with it.
'It's not good that it has been lowered in price. I cannot understand why it would not be sold. It's absolutely breath-taking. He should have kept it at the value it was originally.'
Michael Goodwell, 56, who lives in the village, said the value being lowered was a 'crying shame'.
The business manager said: 'I feel such an amazing property is just being cheapened.
The home was previously owned by fellow comedian Vic Reeves.
The 50-acre estate mixes traditional features like French doors with quirkier aspects such as bookcase wallpaper and a Gypsy caravan in the garden.
The mansion, which boasts a 'Witches House' in the garden, is situated in a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and comes with four acres of woodland.
It comes as Mr Portasio won a bitter planning row with locals who objected to his plans of transforming part of the property into a holiday let
the 50-acre estate mixes traditional features like French doors with quirkier aspects, and boasts seven rooms, outbuildings, a swimming pool and more (Pictured: Paul O'Grady and Mr Portasio cutting a wedding cake)
Pictured: An aerial view of Mr O'Grady's country home and grounds in rural Aldington in Kent
Past and present neighbours include fellow comedians Julian Clary and Alan Carr.
Estate agent Strutt and Parker said: 'Knoll Hill House sits in a breathtaking position at the top of the escarpment above the Romney Marsh which affords the most sensational far-reaching views, looking across the marsh to the coast and the sea in the distance.
'Built in 1910 the house has much charm, providing a comfortable and spacious space in which to live and entertain against this stunning backdrop.'
