Gary Barlow denies buying Shropshire mansion Hawkstone Hall
Take That star Gary Barlow today said he was not buying a historic mansion house which is up for sale in Shropshire.
The X-Factor judge took to social networking site Twitter yesterday to deny rumours that he is interested in buying Hawkstone Hall, in Marchamley, near Wem.
The property is currently on the market with estate agents Reeves & Partners for £5 million. When he was asked on Twitter if the rumours were true, Mr Barlow replied with a simple, 'No'.
Reeves & Partners confirmed the property is still on the market and that viewings with interested parties have taken place.
Nigel Grugeon, of Reeves & Partners, said: "There has been encouraging interest expressed in the property and talks are ongoing." The 80-room hall is looking for just its fourth new owner in more than 550 years.
The building is the former home of the Hill family – including the renowned Rowland Hill, who was the Duke of Wellington's deputy at the Battle of Waterloo.
For the last 85 years the hall has been used as an educational institution and is now a retreat.
Guests – both religious and lay – visit from across the globe to undertake retreat programmes designed to help them seek peace and guidance.
The current owners, a Roman Catholic missionary congregation called The Redemptorists, have decided to sell.
Father Maurice O'Mahony said that until any sale is completed it will be 'business as usual' for the centre.
