Ricky Gervais has placed his £2.95 million home on the banks of the River Thames up for sale, a move that comes as he prepares to marry his long-term partner, Jane Fallon. The decision to marry, after 44 years together, is partly motivated by a desire to avoid a substantial inheritance tax bill. This comes just five months after Ms. Fallon disclosed her diagnosis with breast cancer.
Gervais, 65, who had previously expressed skepticism about marriage, has changed his stance. He stated that the financial implications, specifically inheritance tax, are the primary reason for the upcoming nuptials. "It is [a good reason to wed]. And that will be the reason I marry. But if it wasn't for that... why? It's mad," Gervais commented.
The property in Marlow, Buckinghamshire, which Gervais purchased in 2014 for £2.75 million, is described as his "little country retreat." The house, built in the 1920s, has a history of flooding, with records indicating at least five instances since 1947. Gervais himself provided CCTV images as part of a planning application showing the house underwater during a 2024 flood.
Property Plans and Sale
Despite acquiring council approval this year for a new, larger home on the site following a two-year planning dispute, Gervais has opted to sell the property. The approved plans include a flood buffer zone and raising the ground floor to mitigate future flooding. The proposed neo-Georgian mansion would feature extensive amenities, including a gym, library, and a master suite with a terrace. Estate agents describe the existing house as a detached family home in an "outstanding position" with a private mooring and tennis court, offering potential buyers the option to renovate or rebuild.
Gervais, whose fortune is estimated at £141 million, also owns a nine-bedroom mansion in Hampstead, London, and properties in New York. The sale of the Thameside home suggests a move to organize his financial affairs and potentially reduce his property portfolio.
Personal Developments
Ms. Fallon revealed her breast cancer diagnosis in March, undergoing surgery in March and April. The couple met at University College London in 1982 and have been together for 44 years, previously stating no desire to marry or have children. However, the financial benefits of marriage, particularly the exemption from inheritance tax for surviving spouses, have prompted their decision to wed. Unmarried couples are subject to a 40% inheritance tax on assets exceeding the £325,000 threshold.