Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen's major life change after terrifying Netflix ordeal

Edinburgh Live

2 days ago

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Design maestro Laurence Llewelyn-Bowen has recently revealed that he has transferred ownership of his Cotswolds estate to his sons-in-law, effectively saying farewell to being the manor's lord.
His decision follows unsettling experiences, including an alarming incident during Netflix's 'Celebrity Bear Hunt', where he lost consciousness while submerged under a boat.
The 60 year old celebrity shared how he's been facing an "end of life crisis" since January, spurred by his near-death encounter on the show. Now, he's redirected his focus towards what lies ahead, still living in the main house with his wife Jackie, who is also 60, daughter Hermione, 27, her partner, while their eldest daughter Cecile, 30 with her family, occupies a nearby part of the property.
Llewelyn-Bowen amusingly recalls needing to prove to solicitors that he wasn't strong-armed into the handover by asserting, "One of the most amusing things was having to sit down with a solicitor for them to assess whether Jackie and I were being coerced into this by our bullying sons-in-law. Our friends just can't believe it. They go, 'what happens if you all fall out?'".
Boasting a wealth of £8 million, the famed celebrity laid out his thoughts in the Sunday Times: "We're not going to be those old people sitting on a great big pile of cash. Terribly unhappy, terribly lonely.
"Owning a lot of stuff but not actually having the benefit of it. We are very, very privileged, but we have made this decision. We have manifested this life," reports the Mirror.
In a surprising revelation, he noted the deeds of his property are now in the names of his daughters' spouses. Hermione added with humour: "Hilariously, Cecile and I aren't on the deeds, because we inherit it anyway - it's actually the husbands.'".
Llewelyn-Bowen delved into a frightful episode from Bear Grylls' 'Celebrity Bear Hunt' in a column penned this January, following its broadcast in February. The aftermath of his near-death ordeal still looms large.
During filming in Costa Rica, the at-the-time 59 year old interior designer faced a perilous water challenge that went awry while jumping off a boat. Tangled in bungee cords, he was dragged under the boat, underwater.
This terrifying ordeal lasted for what seemed like an eternity before the show's safety team managed to rescue him, unconscious, from what could've been a tragic end.
Before his leap into reality TV, the celebrity discussed his partner's thoughts, sharing with us: "She feels it's got midlife crisis written all over it, although, as I keep telling her, I'm too old to have a midlife crisis, this is more like an end of life crisis.
"She's actually, frankly, incredibly jealous. She would love to do it and has always been mildly irritated that no one's ever asked her to do something like this.
"Because she literally has always had in her handbag, a SAS Survival Guide, to get herself out of all sorts. I meant to bring it actually and again, how foolishly, I completely forgot."
Llewelyn-Bowen, as reported by the Mail, opened up his grand Cotswolds home to his children and their families when he and his spouse Jackie noticed they "were rattling around the house like dried peas in a luxury tin."
He relayed the energy shift at home, stating: "We certainly aren't sliding into our sixtieth year with boredom calling. We want to use our time wisely and valuably. The way you design your world helps the way you feel.
"Our sizable abode is now awash with youthful laughter, toys, and reruns of Peppa Pig," he remarked about the family expansion.
Reflecting on reaching a milestone, he observed: "I think its something that more and more people should be doing, for us boomers generation we're all sort of surprised we've made it to 60."
His candid admission continued: "I think everyone thought we would live fast and die young rather than live very, very slowly and die really quite old."