Widow sells as 'the laughter has gone'

Sir Harry Secombe's widow Myra has put the family's home up for sale, saying: "The laughter has gone."

The eight-bedroom Willinghurst House in Shamley Green, Surrey, has gone on the market for £3 million through estate agents FPD Savills.

The former Goon bought the 125-year-old mansion 20 years ago for £270,000 after getting fed up with London life.

Lady Myra, 79, said it took 12 months to find the house, telling the Western Mail: "Harry wouldn't come round with me because he didn't like going into other people's houses.

"When I first came here, the view took my breath away. The house was too big, but I thought it was the right house for Harry, for his character."

"It's not the same now, though. The heart's gone out of it. I miss the laughter."

"It's going to be sad but I want to put this chapter of my life behind me and start another somewhere else."

Lady Myra now plans to move to Sussex to be nearer her eldest daughter in Brighton.

Published: 7 Apr 2004