The super posh UK area Holly Willoughby has called home – there’s one thing wrong | UK | News

If you happen to be a celebrity, or relatively unfamous but still with an extremely comfortable income, you may be able to afford a home in Richmond’s most exclusive streets. There are near-constant rumours that well-known faces, both from the UK and abroad, are considering a move to the leafy, super-posh area in south-west London. The latest is that Ryan Gosling is buying a property that is currently being renovated. But this is most likely untrue, as a resident told the Express that they know the people who have purchased the suspected Hollywood haunt, and they have nothing to do with the La La Land star.

Alison Harwood, 39, who works in finance, said: “It’s not his house. I know the people that own it… You can knock on their door if you want.” She added that they were moving out of their current home after 20 years. “Obviously, there’s been so many rumours,” Ms Harwood added. She believes Holly Willoughby lives nearby, but it has been reported that the TV host has moved out of her £3million six-bedroom Richmond pad after a stalking ordeal. There has also been talk of actor Idris Elba wanting to buy a property. “It’s really nice, it’s really, really nice,” Alison said of the neighbourhood. “It’s really family friendly, almost like a bit countrysidy.”

Other locals describe why the area was so popular with celebs, with Jamie Dornan, Stanley Tucci, and underwear model David Gandy also said to have homes there.

Retired investment banker David Frew, 64, was walking his nine-year-old dog, Bertie.

He said that Richmond Park is a great feature, with the River Thames also close by. “Transport links are also quite good,” Mr Frew added. “It’s a lovely area.”

However, there is one catch, he noted.

“It’s very peaceful, when the wind’s in the right direction,” David said. “All the planes from Heathrow go over.”

This creates some noise. As regards well-known neighbours, Mr Frew remembered that people did not get particularly excited when Soviet-born ballet dancer and choreographer Rudolf Nureyev moved to Richmond.

“There are plenty of famous people in the area,” he said.

Steve, who did not wish to provide his surname, and was only prepared to say that he was in his late 40s, has lived in the area for 15 years.

He said: “It’s a great place to live. We’ve got David Gandy on the other side. It’s quiet and it’s close to London.

“It’s very peaceful. Where else in Zone 3 are you going to find a house like that, unless you pay millions in bonds?”

Alan Candy, 78, a retired oil and gas engineer, described where he has lived for 40 years as “amicable and friendly”.

A woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said she had lived in Richmond for “long enough”.

She added: “Everyone’s very friendly, but they [famous people] tend to mind their own business.

“It’s a lovely, quite very family-oriented area.” The resident added that the street has a WhatsApp group, but there is apparently and “no gossip”.

Michelle, 54, a teacher, also did not wish to provide her surname. She said of the house rumoured to have been bought by Mr Gosling: “I think it’s a Russian oligarch, I’m sure they get ways around everything.”

She added: “It’s the best area in London. It’s safe, there’s a nice park.”

The local of 15 years added that people generally “ignore” well-known people when they move to the area. Regarding planes overhead, she said some weeks are busier than others, but overall it is “not that bad”.