Hockney ‘considering selling the home blighted by tragedy’

ACCLAIMED YORKSHIRE artist David Hockney is said to be on the verge of selling the seaside home where one of his aides died following a drugs binge.

A report yesterday quoted Bradford-born Hockney as saying he is “almost certainly” going to sell the house in Bridlington.

Asked if “bad memories” were behind his decision to part with the property, the 77-year-old is said to have simply nodded.

Dominic Elliott, 23, died in the early hours of March 17, 2013, after swallowing a drain cleaner made of 90 per cent sulphuric acid.

Speaking at the conclusion of his inquest later that year, Coroner Prof Paul Marks said both Mr Elliott and his lover John Fitzherbert, Hockney’s former partner, were “partying” and taking drugs including cocaine and Ecstasy, in the hours leading up to his death.

Hockney was in the five-bed- roomed house at the time of the incident, but was asleep.

He had been unwell after suffering a mini-stroke and, in a statement read to the inquest, said he had not seen Mr Elliott before going to bed at 9pm.

Prof Marks said he accepted Hockney had no knowledge that illicit drugs were being used on the premises.

Described as a “larger than life” character and a keen sportsman, Mr Elliott went to work for Hockney after dropping out of York University and helped to facilitate the legendary artist’s painting and drawing.