TALK OF THE TOWN: Stuart Wheeler leaves £15million Chilham Castle to charity

He died at the age of 85 with no son to inherit his stunning family seat, Chilham Castle. 

So to save having to choose between his three beloved daughters, the late gambling tycoon Stuart Wheeler is leaving it to charity.

I can reveal that executors have put the 17th Century Kent manor house on the market for £15 million, with the proceeds going to good causes. 

It is a stunning decision which has left Wheeler’s daughters – model Jacquetta, plus Sarah and Charlotte – somewhat ‘stressed’ according to my source.

Gambling tycoon Stuart Wheeler died at the age of 85 with no son to inherit his stunning family seat, Chilham Castle. Pictured: Wheeler with his daughters Jacquetta, Sarah and Charlotte

The sisters have been largely living there, making the most of it during the year since their father died.

Estate agent Will Matthews of Knight Frank tells me: ‘All three girls use it all the time, they were there together this week. 

‘It truly is a really usable residential home… and an absolutely amazing party place. I’ve rarely heard of a sale like this, where proceeds from the sale of a private home are going to charity.

‘We’ve had a lot of interest from interesting people.’

I’m sure the sisters will be sorry to hand it over. I hear whispers they are frustrated, but had an inkling their father would make the bold choice.

A family friend adds: ‘Jacquetta is stressed at the moment – I think it is a tense time for all the girls.’

I can reveal that executors have put the 17th Century Kent manor house (above) on the market for £15 million, with the proceeds going to good causes, writes Charlotte Griffiths

I can reveal that executors have put the 17th Century Kent manor house (above) on the market for £15 million, with the proceeds going to good causes, writes Charlotte Griffiths 

Jacquetta has documented her love of her family home on Instagram since she moved there for a time last winter, after splitting up with her husband Jamie. 

They married in 2012 at Chilham, and the wedding featured in Vogue. 

She has described the property on social media as ‘misty and beautiful’, ‘crazy beautiful’, ‘like Narnia’ and ‘magic’.

Her father, who previously said he wanted to leave money to anti-torture charities, once mused he could leave nothing to his daughters but declared before his death: ‘I have given and will leave them rather a lot.’

The Jacobean pile built in 1616 sits in 300 acres of land near Canterbury, and has an indoor swimming pool, tennis courts, a card room, library, vineyard, and 14 bedrooms.

Quiet life is scaring Idris 

He spent years being tipped as the next Bond and gadding about town as a single bachelor. 

Now Idris Elba has finally settled, but is married life all he hoped it would be? 

I only ask because he has admitted his beauty-queen wife Sabrina, 31, sometimes gives him the cold shoulder.

‘I discovered that Sabrina likes the silent treatment, three or four-day silent treatment,’ Idris, 48, said last week. 

Idris Elba and Sabrina Dhowre attend The 64th Evening Standard Theatre Awards at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, in November 2018

Idris Elba and Sabrina Dhowre attend The 64th Evening Standard Theatre Awards at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, in November 2018

‘She’ll keep it going and I didn’t know that before [we married], I never really noticed. I’m like, ‘Are we just going to walk past each other and not talk all day?”

Mother-of-one Sabrina, who she married in 2019, confirmed: ‘If I get rubbed up the wrong way. I need a minute… and that minute might turn into an hour.’

So when film directors want someone really good at being a strong, silent hero, perhaps they should forget Idris and pick Sabrina instead…