Bruce Forsyth's widow now as beautiful mansion they once shared 'left to rot'

Bruce Forsyth's widow now as beautiful mansion they once shared 'left to rot' Bruce Forsyth's former Wentworth mansion, once shared with widow Lady Wilnelia, has reportedly been left empty and deteriorating years after she sold it for £5.7million Bruce Forsyth's widow Lady Wilnelia has moved on from the lavish Surrey mansion she shared with the TV legend, but the once-glamorous property has reportedly been left abandoned. The sprawling home, known as Straidarran, sits on the exclusive Wentworth Estate, where huge mansions owned by celebrities, sports stars and wealthy international buyers line the private roads. Bruce lived at the property for decades before his death in 2017, aged 89, following a battle with bronchial pneumonia. Three years later, in April 2020, Wilnelia, 68, sold the mansion to a Bermuda-based businesswoman for a reported £5.7million. But despite the hefty price tag, there appears to have been little visible activity at the property since the sale. Locals say the home has been left largely untouched, with no obvious signs of residents or major refurbishment work. Once the setting for Bruce and Wilnelia's glamorous life, the mansion came packed with luxury features including a ten-seat cinema, swimming pool, tennis court, gym, library and wine cellar. The gates still bear an "F" crest associated with Forsyth's surname, while warning signs have been erected around the property. One local said the situation was particularly unusual because overseas buyers on the estate often demolish older properties and replace them with new-build mansions. "Normally overseas owners on the estate knock these old homes down and build a new one. So it is a very strange situation with Bruce's old home, where seemingly nothing has happened since Wilnelia sold it six years ago," they told The Sun. The source claimed the only noticeable change had been the arrival of security following break-ins. They added: "The only thing I have noticed is that security is present there, the owners certainly aren't, but that only followed break-ins." Security was reportedly stepped up after urban explorers targeted the property, with police confirming reports of break-ins to the publication. Wentworth Estate manager James Perotin previously said the mansion was now being monitored around the clock. He said: "Security has been increased at Bruce Forsyth's old house, there is now a van permanently on site, and it is monitored 24 hours a day." Perotin also suggested that some wealthy homeowners on the estate spend much of their time abroad, partly because of tax reasons, leaving some properties unoccupied for years. Wilnelia, meanwhile, downsized after selling the family mansion and bought another home on the same estate for around £3million. The former beauty queen and Bruce were married in 1983 and remained together until his death. Bruce, who entertained generations of viewers, became a household name through shows including The Generation Game and Play Your Cards Right, before becoming the face of Strictly Come Dancing. He presented the BBC dance show for a decade before stepping down in 2014. Wilnelia, originally from Puerto Rico, was crowned Miss World in 1975. The couple shared a son, Jonathan Joseph, now 40, with Bruce's entire estimated £15million fortune being left to his third wife rather than his six children. In 2018, Wilnelia spoke about the final days she spent with Bruce before his death. She said she felt "lucky" that all the close family members managed to say goodbye. In December, Tess Daly held back tears as Wilnelia sent her and Claudia Winkleman a sweet message before their Strictly Come Dancing exit. It was shown during the spin off show It Takes Two. Tess had presented Strictly alongside Bruce from the show's launch in 2004, with Claudia taking over in 2013. "Hello Tess and Claudia," Wilnelia told the hosts. "Sending you both my warmest wishes as you step into this exciting new chapter. Tess, you shared so many wonderful years on Strictly with Bruce and I know he would be so proud of you." She continued: "And Claudia, your sparkle and wit have brought so much joy to everyone. Thank you both for the laughter, the elegance and the heart you have given to the show. "All my love and the very best for the future ahead." Signing off on her husband's famous catchphrase, she said: "Don't forget, life is too short, so... keep dancing!" Tess replied: "What a woman! She's just a goddess."