A Swindon millionaire has given an update on his bid to buy a lighthouse made famous Grand Designs.

Matt Fiddes, a former bodyguard of King of Pop Michael Jackson, last year tabled a £7.5m bid for the property in Croyde.

Chesil Cliff House on the North Devon coast has featured on the hit Channel 4 show twice in the past and was even dubbed its 'saddest ever' project.

Matt runs martial arts schools and his success in business has seen recent supercar purchases including Ferraris and Lamborghinis.

Swindon Advertiser: Matt toured the house and tabled a bid back in September of 2022.Matt toured the house and tabled a bid back in September of 2022. (Image: Matt Fiddes)

The 44-year-old also had his eye on the art deco lighthouse, which is now being sold by owner Edward Short as two properties in a bid to find a buyer.

“He should have taken my offer as I would have turned one section into luxury apartments and the other into an Airbnb,” said Matt.

“If it does come on sale for a realistic price I will buy it but not as it is right now as he’s (Mr Short) flogging a dead horse.”

Costs spiralled out of control for Mr Short when he tried to transform the Devon house.

Swindon Advertiser: Chesil Cliff House has featured on Channel 4's Grand Designs twice.Chesil Cliff House has featured on Channel 4's Grand Designs twice. (Image: Knight Frank)

The two episodes of the Channel 4 show highlighted that the build plunged the owner into £7 million of debt and also cost him his marriage.

“I advised the owner to sell the two properties separately and now he is doing it but he couldn’t before due to the estate agents,” said Matt.

“That place is worth no more than £3m or £4m so he has missed his chance.”

Swindon Advertiser: Matt Fiddes was Michael Jackson's personal bodyguard earlier on in his career.Matt Fiddes was Michael Jackson's personal bodyguard earlier on in his career. (Image: Matt Fiddes)

Matt was initially keen to be the new owner of the house but he saw his £7.5m bid in September 2022 go nowhere.

“I've put in a bid for the most expensive house in Croyde," he said at the time.

"I see this as an achievement stamp for me.”

Despite seemingly giving up on the lighthouse project, Matt has not moved on from bolstering his property portfolio.

“We are buying a place in Cyprus that overlooks the sea with an infinity pool for £2.5 million as a second home and Airbandb project,” he said.