A Swindon celebrity who was Michael Jackson's bodyguard has put in a £7.5 million bid on a lighthouse-inspired house which featured on Grand Designs twice.
Entrepreneur Matt Fiddes, whose martial arts company is now worth £120 million, is a Swindon success story.
Leaving school at 16 with £100 and no qualifications, Matt moved to Croyde in Devon and worked as a lifeguard for £2.75 an hour.
The 43-year-old was evicted from his bedsit at 17 because he couldn't afford the £35 a week rent.
Since then, he has built a global fitness empire with more than 1,000 schools across the world.
"I've put in a bid for the most expensive house in Croyde," he said.
"I see this as an achievement stamp for me.
"I had a painful time in Croyde when I was younger because I was evicted.
"But this property is five minutes away from my first rental when I moved out from my mum and dad's in Swindon.
"I have memories of planning my business and my dreams in Croyde so we've come full circle.
"People told me I wouldn't make it and it wouldn't work out.
"But I've been buying houses since I was 18 and it doesn't matter I can't write well because I only have to sign autographs and cheques."
Pop star Harry Styles was rumoured to be interested in Chesil Cliff House at one stage, the MailOnline reported.
The Devon house located on a cliff featured in two episodes of the popular Channel 4 show and was dubbed the 'saddest ever' project.
Costs spiralled out of control for owner Edward Short when he tried to transform the house into an art deco lighthouse.
The build plunged the owner into £7 million of debt and cost him his marriage.
Chesil Cliff House was listed on Knight Frank's website for £10 million and boasts an infinity pool with three acres of land.
Matt says he didn't know at first that the house was famous as he doesn't often watch TV.
He hopes to add the property to his £45 million portfolio and to convert the incompleted house into 12 flats to let out.
"My parents are from Old Town and every year we would go on caravan holidays to Croyde," he added.
"My home will always be in Swindon; it's a great place to be and people always tell me they're proud of me."
While many businesses suffered during lockdown, Matt's made sure it was a successful period for his martial arts company.
He won Entrepreneur of the Year at the Signature Business Awards last Friday
"I've never worked so hard in my life as I did at the beginning of lockdown. I like a challenge and I was responsible for so many families who have always been loyal to me.
"We grew like hell and it was mad."
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