Monty Don shares fury at long-time friend Sir Ranulph Fiennes being 'hidden away'

Monty Don has called for an “urgent” investigation into his long-time friend Sir Ranulph Fiennes’ welfare following claims he has been “hidden away”.

The British explorer, 82, who has not been seen in public for two years, has allegedly been admitted to a number of care homes under assumed names after a family rift involving his second wife, Louise Millington-Cotes.

Fiennes, who has Parkinson’s disease, is said to have been "unlawfully deprived of his liberty" and made to disguise his appearance to prevent him being recognised, as well as reportedly being banned from seeing friends or family.

Concerns were raised after the owner of a care home in Wales contacted police, local authorities and the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) about his wellbeing, leading to a report by The Telegraph.

Gardeners’ World presenter Don has now joined the legion of famous faces, as well as Fiennes’ family, in reacting to the care watchdog's assessment and calling for a major investigation.

"My family and I have known Ran for over 40 years and he is one of the most inspirational, remarkable – and kindest – of men I have known,” he said.

Monty Don shared his concern over his long-time friend Sir Ranulph Fiennes’ welfare

PA Wire

Don, who recently announced he is leaving Gardeners’ World, went on: “And of course, other than personal affection, he should be enjoying the admiration and respect of the whole country after such a remarkable life and not kept hidden away from family and friends.

"If anyone can be called a national treasure it is Ran and I do feel that it is vital that the OPG urgently investigates his case and all the facts can be brought to light."

The Standard has been unable to contact Fiennes’ wife for comment. The Care Inspectorate Wales has been contacted for further comment.

Cheshire Police have said they are aware of the concerns regarding Fiennes and are satisfied he is living in an appropriate setting with suitable care, the BBC reported. They said there were "no immediate safeguarding concerns".

Stars like Bear Grylls, Ben Fogle and Joanna Lumley have also spoken out about the welfare of Fiennes, a legendary adventurer who was the first person to visit both north and south poles by surface means in the early 1980s and has been described by The Guinness Book of Records as "the world's greatest living explorer".

Survivalist Grylls declared “Ran, we are coming!” and called him a “true British icon”, adding that reports of his isolation and treatment in care homes were “deeply disturbing”.

Fiennes, 82, has allegedly been moved to different care homes under fake names

Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images

Fiennes’ stepson Alex Millington-Cotes told BBC Newsnight he wanted to see the power of attorney "removed from my own mother" and placed in the hands of people who "have fully his best interests in mind".

"He's not an isolated type of person, and so to see him isolated now is very painful," he said.

Fiennes’ former sister-in-law Arabella Pepper added that she has not been able to see him for over a year.

"All his friends and family want to see him and take him Toblerones and cheer him up, but we don't know where is, and he's not available, he's not accessible - that's what worries us," she told Newsnight.

Pepper, who is the younger sister of Fiennes’ late first wife Ginny, recalled: "The first thing I said to him [last summer], apart from the usual greetings, was that everybody was worried about him, was looking for him, was longing to see him.

"The relief on his face was very obvious, and he said, ‘Send a message to everybody, send them my love, tell them I love them and tell them I'm longing to see them.’”

Fiennes is said to have been moved to care homes in Wales and Cheshire in the past year under an assumed identity, but his current whereabouts are unknown.

The King with Fiennes in 2012

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The King was reportedly blocked when he tried to check on Fiennes’ wellbeing after being alerted to concerns about his declining health and isolation.

Charles was left “most concerned” after fellow explorer Anton Bowring wrote to him in February last year asking for his help, The Telegraph revealed.

Bowring said Fiennes was “in a very poor state” and had been in the care of his wife Millington-Cotes since the previous September and that his friends were worried.

The King’s then-equerry Commander William Thornton contacted Bowring later the same month saying Charles wanted to write to Fiennes, Millington-Cotes and their daughter Elizabeth to express his concern and see if there was anything he could do anything to help.

He also asked for Millington-Cotes’ phone number, but she reportedly fired off angry text messages to Bowring after Buckingham Palace was given her details.