Frankie Howerd home and treasures up for sale

Published Tuesday 13 May 2008 at 15:50 by Alistair Smith

Comedian Frankie Howerd’s former home, possessions and the royalties to his work have been put up for sale for a combined asking price of £2 million.

The late performer’s four-bedroom cottage near Axbridge in Somerset has been valued at £800,000, while the archive contained within the house has also been put up for sale for £600,000. Meanwhile, 45% of Frankie Howerd Ltd, which holds the rights to much of the comedian’s material is also being offered for £600,000.

Chris Byrne, who manages the estate and currently lives there with Dennis Heymer, Howerd’s former partner, told The Stage: “I’d like it to all go in one go, but it could also be sold as three lots. The archive includes scripts, audio tapes and TV reels. There’s a painting Frankie was given by the Queen Mother and a portrait of Elvis he was given by Bette Davis.

“There’s also all of his school reports, his first job reference, his dog tags and war papers, slippers, pyjamas, toupee and even his hernia belt. There is so much in the collection.”

Byrne said that 10% of the proceeds of the sale would go to charity through the Frankie Howerd OBE Trust, while he and Heymer would use the remainder to build a new house for themselves near to Howerd’s former home on the Wavering Down Estate.

“It’s not a sad moment, it’s a happy moment,” Byrne added. “Dennis and I are moving on with our lives. For us it is a very happy sale.”

Events currently organised to take place at the house will go ahead as planned until September.