Jamie Oliver has splashed out a cool £6 million for a haunted 16th century mansion despite his challenging financial woes.
The Essex home dates back to 1570 and had been owned by the same aristocratic family since the 1700s but it is thought to also be home to a rocking horse in a top-floor nursery which allegedly begins rocking during the night and has put off several prospective buyers.
Its an amazing place and the whole family fell in love with it at first viewing, a source close to the property has claimed.
Theres a rocking horse there which, legend has it, starts rocking and creaking during the night.
However his purchase comes after it is believed the 43-year-old pumped £12.7 million of his own money to keep his Jamies Italian restaurants going, amid a restructure after landing into reported debts of £71.5 million.
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The property has a six-bed farmhouse, three-bed lodge, converted stables and a cart shed, and it is thought Jamie plans to convert a couple of the outhouse rooms into a mega-kitchen.
A source close to the chef told The Sun that he plans to film shows and hold masterclasses in the converted buildings.
I havent got any more [money]. Theres a point where I cant put the other side of the business at risk as well and the people who work there, the chef recently told the Mail on Sunday.
He added: Were getting on top of it and I think weve learned lots of lessons … I think Ill be a better boss and restaurateur in the future because of it.
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Jamie and his wife Jools and their five children will move into the home in February.
It sits on 70 acres of land and has an illustrious history; centuries ago, burglars stole family silver from the house but in a turn of bad luck their getaway cart became stuck in mud.
The treasures were thrown in the lake as the thieves attempted to make their escape, and it was only discovered 150 years later.
Metro.co.uk has contacted reps for Jamie for comment.
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