Joe Bonamassa

Monday, September 27, 2010

Neighbours' fears as the X Factor take over £3.5m mansion in quiet cul-de-saq

By SARA NATHAN and SIMON CABLE

Girl next door? Cher Lloyd is one of the favourites to reach the final 12

It is an exclusive cul-de-saq filled with millionaires who value their peace and privacy.

So it would come as no surprise that the inhabitants of a North London close are less than happy after discovering their new neighbours are the rowdy X Factor finalists.

The 12 finalists – whose identities are being kept a closely-guarded secret by ITV bosses – have already moved into the sprawling £3.5 million mansion ahead of the first live show on October 9.

But now the property is swarming with production workers and camera crew, with a procession of cars and taxis streaming in and out all day long.

And residents now fear their tranquil neighbourhood will be transformed by the arrival of fans desperate to catch a glimpse of the contestants on the hit talent show.

X Factor producers have hired two security guards to watch over the property and the cul-de-sac. However, like many other upmarket roads in London, the neighbours may even call in their own private security presence.

One source told the Daily Mail: ‘The residents are upset as there is already some disruption with camera crews coming and going – and the live shows have not even started yet.

‘This is a very exclusive and private road and people are worried that fans will swarm the close once they find out the finalists are here.

‘They are really worried after last year when the X Factor moved in next to the Chinese Ambassador and hundreds of fans turned up and caused chaos.’

Splendour in the grass: The North London villa the X Factor contestants will call home for the coming months

Room with a view: The kitchen and large balcony

One resident, who did not want to be named, said yesterday: 'People around here won't stand for that, I can tell you. We’re not that impressed that the X Factor is on our doorstep.'

This year’s X Factor contestants have already proved themselves to be a nuisance after going on a drunken rampage at their hotel during the boot camp auditions and stripping naked in front of horrified guests.

Simon Cowell was then left appalled after hopefuls ruined his luxury rented villa in Marbella in Spain last month. They caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to the property – which cost £15,000-a-day to rent - as well as drinking the star’s vintage champagne and imported beer.

Welcome home: The entrance hall and staircase

Splashing out: The luxurious bathroom

And last year, there were complaints after hundreds of screaming fans congregated outside the X Factor house in Golders Green, north London, not so helpfully situated next to the Chinese ambassador.

Ambassador Madam Fu Ying was subjected to teenage girls flashing their breasts at stars John and Edward Grimes – otherwise known as Jedward. While fans created litter and scrawled graffiti on to the gates of the property.

Her Excellency Madam Ying confirmed that colleagues had been unhappy about noise coming from the X Factor house next-door to the official residence, but she later claimed: ‘It was fun finding myself caught up in X Factor fever and reading about the 'diplomatic row' involving my embassy.

Welcome to my humble abode: The over 28s group was shown arriving at Simon Cowell's luxury rented villa in Marbella in Spain on Sunday night. The group caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to the property during their stay

Here come the girls: Cheryl Cole mentored her group in Los Angeles

This year’s X Factor home is a seven-bedroom villa that costs £2,500 a week to rent and is surrounded by open countryside. It boasts an entrance hall with a gallery as well as a roof terrace with views over London – and has private gates.

The property, which is owned by millionaire businessman Stephen Goldberg, had been on the market for £3.5 million until he recently decided to rent it out.

A string of Premiership footballers have already viewed the property, which is situated next to a string of imposing mansion houses.

Jet setters: The boys flew to Australia to meet with Dannii Minogue

Luck of the Irish: Louis Walsh is mentoring the over 28s category

Even though the finalists have moved in they are being kept under lock and key.
Viewers will not find out who has made it through to the live shows until this weekend when judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Louis Walsh and Dannii Minogue will be seen making their picks.

It will be the first time that fans see the return of Mrs Cole, who was forced to bow out of auditions are contracting malaria, and Miss Minogue, who went on maternity leave after the birth of her son Ethan.

An X Factor spokesperson said last night: ‘We have security staff at the property 24-hours a day who also patrol the private road leading up to the house and remove anyone without permission to be there. The residents have a contact on production they can call at all times.’