(Or at least his plans for a £5m mansion do)

Ricky Gervais has had to abandon his plans to build a £5 million mansion on the banks of the Thames over concerns about flooding.

The comedian wanted to build a four-bedroom £5 million neo-classical home to replace a three-bedroom one in Marlow, Bucks, that he bought for £2.75 million in 2014.

His first planning application was refused by Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead council last September and although he was working on a new application, the Environment Agency raised new objections which have scuppered the plans.

The talks are now ‘on hold,’ Gervais’s representatives told the Daily Telegraph.

The existing home has been hit by flooding at least five times since 1947.

Oliver Murray, the planning adviser for the Environment Agency, said there was not enough proof Gervais’s development will not increase flood risk elsewhere.'

Gervais’s agent contested the claim.

Published: 27 Mar 2025