We matched homes to heirs..and opened the door to laughter, tears and lots of fun
I’VE been told that my new TV show Key to a Fortune suggests it might be a gameshow but it’s much more exciting than that.
It’s a six-part series where I trace the rightful inheritors to properties that have been left by a distant relative who didn’t have a will. And I get to surprise them with an unexpected windfall.
I had so much fun filming it and the best part was taking the inheritors to see their property for the first time.
I witnessed tears, laughter, disbelief and huge amounts of gratitude, it’s just so much to take in. Can you imagine turning up to a house, possibly a big one that was left to you by a person you didn’t even know?
Well, it happens every day and I’ve uncovered some unbelievable stories.
I had no idea that millions of homes lie empty in the UK after someone’s dies without leaving a will.
It’s the job of an heir hunting company like Blanchards to start piecing together the parts of a jigsaw puzzle to reunite the unclaimed properties with the unsuspecting new owners.
Each reveal of an inheritance comes with a bit of a dilemma.
As often the properties need more than just a lick of paint and then it’s up to the recipients to decide whether they want to invest in the property or sell it.
Thankfully, I worked with four great experts who were on hand to guide our inheritors through the process and show them the true potential of what they’ve been left.
Every case came with its own issues
so the experts became a vital part of guiding our heirs and helping them make the tough decision.
Kunle Barker is an architect who was amazing at showing how the homes could be completely transformed and Tayo Oguntonade was on hand to give property and financial advice.
I also worked with Raphael Meade, an exceptional carpenter, and Stuart Douglas, a house flipping maestro who was able to share his vast experience and give sound advice.
I’ve been asked many times what I would do if an unexpected inheritance fell to me.
And while I’d lean towards keeping the place, the temptation would always be there to get it on the market and make a bundle of cash.
Each episode follows the ups and downs of landing a once-in-a-lifetime gift and I also visit people who have inherited huge properties in the past. That includes majestic Manobrier Castle in Pembrokeshire and historic Skail House up in Orkney.
All the people I spoke to were searingly honest about the challenges of looking after large estates and the one thing that they had in common was a sense of duty to look after their inheritance and a determination to keep it in the family.
I feel so lucky to have been chosen to present this show.
And I hope I’ve brought a warmth and friendliness to the programme. I’ve been working away for the past few years and it now seems like the graft is paying off.
And Key To A Fortune feels like mine. In tonight’s episode I take Storme who is from Johannesburg to a dilapidated fairytale cottage in rural Kent for which she is the sole heir. It turns out that the property is worth a small fortune.
And after finding out the history of the person who’s left it to her she has the tough choice of taking on the work and turning the property around or selling it.
Is this her Key To A Fortune? No spoilers as you’ll have to tune in to find out.
Key To A Fortune is tonight on Channel 4.
It now seems like the graft is paying off. And Key to a Fortune feels like mine