Inside the care home where Man About The House star has lived for over 20 years

Brinsworth House looks just like any other luxury mansion from the outside. Situated over three acres of land on the outskirts of Twickenham it fits perfectly into the stylish locale. Built in 1850, the house has 32 bedrooms, six separate living/function rooms, an entertainment stage with bar area, a conservatory, library, restaurant, television rooms and even a hair salon. All very boujee indeed and somewhere most people would be delighted to live. However a sign outside the property belies there is more to this than meets the eye. Showcasing the fact that it is owned by The Royal Variety Charity and its patron is none other than King Charles, smaller print indcates it is "a residential and nursing home for those who have served the entertainment industries". While the phrase nursing home may conjure up images of a sterile, unfeeling environment Brinsworth House is the anthesis of that, which is no surprise when you consider the famous inhabitiants it has housed over the years.

The luxurious property currently houses, among others, Richard O'Sullivan who was one of the biggest TV stars of the 70s and 80s thanks to his roles in shows such as Man About The House, Robin's Nest and Dick Turpin. He moved into the premises in 2023 after he suffered a stroke. The home is decorated throughout to emphasise and represent its theatrical lineage and keeps the ethos alive. Other well known faces who resided there until their deaths include impressionist Mike Yarwood, DJ Alan "Fluff" Freeman and actress Dame Thora Hird.

It has served it's current purpose for over a hundred years since 1908, becoming the home of many retired artists and those who have spent their lives serving the entertainment industry. The property underwent a huge refurbishment between 2020 and 2023. A five-star kitchen and dining room was installed, followed by the building of the newly named Giles Cooper Wing and the complete overhaul of the original upper floors of the main building.

The interior was designed by celebrated interior designer, Mikhail Pietranek, to give the feel of a 5-star boutique hotel, with a theatrical twist . They converted 23 rooms into ensuite bedrooms, added an additional nine nursing rooms, a new eight-person passenger lift connecting three floors, fibre broadband throughout and the addition of two assisted bathrooms.

The last phase of work was completed at the end of 2023, with the completion of an additional seven ensuite bedrooms and the complete refurbishment of the hair salon ensuring the space is reflective of the talent which resides in it. The food is also top notch and in 2024, the kitchen staff were awarded UK Care Home Caterers of the Year. There is a reason its nickname is Old Pros Paradise.

For those who wish to maintain their fitness levels there is a weekly exercise programme to help develop and maintain physical agility through musical movement fittingly enough. If residents want to keep up on the latest literary releases they are also covered as the home is serviced by a publishing house that generously replenishes and updates their library every three to six months. Even laundry isn't a chore as residents simply submit their clothing to the on site service and the items are returned clean and pressed the next day.

Of course no theatrical home would be complete without a bar and the Brinsworth House bar is styled on a traditional pub. Needless to say it is a very popular part of the home. Open every lunchtime and evening residents can enjoy a beverage and often a jolly sing-along around the piano!

It also boasts top notch entertainment for residents. Shows take place once or twice a week, and regularly feature a huge number of well-known singers, actors, dancers, comedians and West End stars - all giving their services for free to entertain the residents

The public got a glimpse inside the luxurious property in 2018 when Meghan Markle visited and mingled with residents. The home is decorated throughout to emphasise and represent its theatrical lineage and this was evident in pictures taken during her visit which show the property boasts a luxurious decor and definite nods to its residents creative backgrounds. She was introduced to Richard in the bar area where the 80-year-old sipped on a cup of tea while waiting on her.

Needless to say this kind of care doesn't come cheap. The place costs £1.25m a year to run. Residents pay £600 per week for a residential room and £750 for nursing care. Additional funding also comes from several sources, most famously the Royal Variety Performance, for which Brinsworth House acts as the box office. Voluntary donations also make up a part of their funding. Since 2007, the home also receives part-proceeds from the phone voting from ITV's Britain's Got Talent.