Alex Jones, the 49-year-old presenter of The One Show, is embarking on a large-scale renovation project at her newly acquired £2.8 million Georgian mansion in Ascot, Berkshire.

Historic Property with Starry Past

The four-bedroom property, which once belonged to John Lennon and Ringo Starr, was purchased in July 2024. Alex secured the sale after writing a heartfelt letter to the previous owner, Penelope, successfully convincing her to sell.

A Leap of Faith

Despite her husband, Charlie Thomson, being in New Zealand at the time, Alex was captivated by the house and finalized the deal before he could see it. Fortunately, Charlie also fell in love with the property upon his return, describing it as feeling like home.

Extensive Renovations Planned

The house, located in a prestigious area where nearby properties average almost £1.3 million, requires significant work. Alex and Charlie plan to undertake extensive renovations, including a single-storey kitchen extension overlooking the gardens.

Interior Overhaul

The plans also include adding four new bedrooms upstairs and demolishing four downstairs rooms to create a more open living space. The current interior is described as ‘care home chic’ and features outdated elements, such as a 1976 kitchen with an antique fridge.

Family Move and Long-Term Project

Alex has already moved her three children—Teddy, nine, Kit, six, and Annie, four—from West London to the countryside. She noted that her children’s persistent coughs have disappeared since the move due to the cleaner air.

Decades-Long Transformation

The couple may need to live in the property’s outbuilding during the main house’s transformation, a process that could take decades. Alex hopes a potential new role hosting Strictly Come Dancing could provide funds to accelerate the renovation.